Have you ever wondered how long the ‘C’ has been atop C-Hill in Carson City? Well, this year will mark the 100-year anniversary of the beloved landmark. First constructed in 1924, the symbol has stood as a testament to community spirit and school pride, has remained visible for miles around and has been cherished by generations of residents and alumni alike.
The ‘C,’ was initially assembled by a group of dedicated members of the Block “C” Society as a symbol of unity and school spirit. During the 1923-1924 school year, plans were made by the Society to construct a large ‘C’ on one of the hills not far from town (see excerpt from page 40 of the 1924 Carson High School Yearbook).
Over the years, the ‘C’ has seemingly undergone an annual transformation for several decades. The iconic, highly-visible landmark has unofficially been converted overnight to the two-digit number of each year’s graduating class, typically in the last week of May or the first week of June, depending on the date of graduation.
The practice is not a traditional school-supported or school-sanctioned event. And converting the edifice back to the distinguished hillside ‘C’ has typically fallen on the combined efforts of the school’s football team, local organizations, patriotic citizens and volunteers who understand the importance of the enduring emblem.