Block U facts for kids
The Block U is a giant concrete letter "U" built on the side of Mount Van Cott in Salt Lake City, Utah. This special "U" is a well-known symbol for the University of Utah. It sits just north of the university's campus, high up at about 1,600 meters (5,250 feet) above sea level. When the University of Utah's sports teams win a game, the lights outlining the Block U flash brightly. If they lose, the lights stay on steadily.
The official name for this landmark is the "Block U." It is a registered trademark of the University of Utah, meaning it's officially protected as their symbol.
History of the Block U
The story of the Block U began in the early 1900s. Back then, students from the University of Utah had a tradition. Each year, they would climb "The Hill" (Mount Van Cott) and paint their graduation year on the mountainside. The university leaders thought it would be better to have something more lasting.
So, in 1907, the Block U was built using limestone. This "U" is very big! It stands over 30 meters (100 feet) tall and covers an area of more than 455 square meters (5,000 square feet). Because of its size and location, you can see it from many different parts of the Salt Lake Valley. In 1967, lights were added to the Block U, making it even more visible at night.
By 2001, the Block U was starting to look old and worn out. Even though students tried to fix it, it needed a much bigger repair job to last.
Renewing the U
In 2006, the University of Utah completed a major project to fix up the Block U. This project, called "Renew the U," cost about $400,000. Sue Christensen, a former student of the University of Utah, helped start this important restoration.
The improvements included:
- New lights that can be controlled wirelessly from the Merrill Engineering building.
- Two hundred and forty lights that are set into the ground. These lights can switch between red and white.
- A special feature that lets the lights flash brighter or dimmer.
- A barrier above the "U" and a drainage system to help water flow away. This stops the ground from washing away and damaging the structure.
After all the work was done, an official lighting ceremony was held. This happened on October 5, 2006, during halftime of a football game between the Utah Utes and the TCU Horned Frogs at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Visiting the Block U
If you want to see the Block U up close, its physical address is 1635 New Bedford Dr, Salt Lake City, Utah 84103. The main path to hike up to it starts at the end of Tomahawk Dr, Salt Lake City, Utah 84103.
