/ Modified mar 1, 2016 10:12 a.m.

Iconic 'A' West of Downtown Tucson Marks Centennial

Construction of letter on Sentinel Peak began in 1914 and ended in 1916.

Historic "A" in 1916 This is the first-known photograph of the finished "A" on Sentinel Peak. Photo Courtesy of UA Special Collections.
UA Special Collections

Listen:

The University of Arizona celebrated a football victory over California's Pomona College on Thanksgiving Day in 1914.

That led to the construction of the giant letter that's been a popular landmark ever since.

A civil engineering student, who was also a member of the football team, suggested constructing the A on Sentinel Peak.

Dozens of students and staff members joined him. They finished the project by whitewashing the rock and mortar combination on March 4, 1916.

Since then, the A has been a memorable symbols for countless students, visitors and residents.

Terry Ruiz was born and raised in Tucson and while she didn't know the A was finished 100 years ago, the project is dear to her heart.

"The A has been a place that we've always come to and brought our kids. I've come here since I was really, really young," Ruiz said.

"When we leave town and then we're on our way home, I know I'm home once I see the A."

According to information from the university, the rock, mortar and water were taken to Sentinel Peak by six-horse teams, and the total cost of the transportation, materials and equipment was $397.

Since it was finished, "A Mountain" has become a common name for Sentinel Peak.

We'd like to know what the "A" means to you. Join the conversation on Twitter or Facebook with #SentinelPeakA

A-CloudyDay The "A" on Sentinel Peak was completed in 1916 and has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in Southern Arizona.
Tony Paniagua, AZPM
By posting comments, you agree to our
AZPM encourages comments, but comments that contain profanity, unrelated information, threats, libel, defamatory statements, obscenities, pornography or that violate the law are not allowed. Comments that promote commercial products or services are not allowed. Comments in violation of this policy will be removed. Continued posting of comments that violate this policy will result in the commenter being banned from the site.

By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.
AZPM is a service of the University of Arizona and our broadcast stations are licensed to the Arizona Board of Regents who hold the trademarks for Arizona Public Media and AZPM. We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples.
The University of Arizona