Mount McCaleb, the prominent 11,683-foot peak visible north of MacKay, was named for Civil War veteran and local merchant Jesse McCaleb. In 1878, while helping escort supply wagons and arms to Challis, McCaleb and 13 others were attacked by Indians near present-day MacKay. After creating a barricade of wagons, the small group held off over 100 Indians in a two-day battle. Jesse McCaleb was the only casualty, and the mountain bears his name in memorial.