Prospectors found copper ore in the mountains above present day Mackay, (pronounced Mákey) Idaho in 1879. For more than 50 years, mining was the major industry and a way of life in the Mackay area. Today, more than half a century after the end of the mining heyday, the Mackay Mine Hill is once again bustling with activity.

The White Knob Historical Preservation Committee, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service, State, and local officials, has begun a coordinated effort to document, interpret, and preserve what remains of the area's copper mining legacy. Thanks to their efforts, visitors to the Mine Hill can experience a piece of Mackay's mining past while visiting this stunning and unique area.  

The Aerial Tramway Headhouse is a fascinating reminder of Mackay's mining past.

VIRTUAL TOUR

If you can't bring your horse, mountain bike, ATV, or four wheel drive to the Mine Hill, here is the next-best thing. Take a virtual tour to many of the most important sites on the Mackay Mine Hill. Take the tour.

Virtual Tour Text Only Version

Do you need additional information about the Mackay Mine Hill District? Check out our extended web pages for an in-depth look at the history, infrastructure, and preservation efforts taking place on the Mine Hill. Visit

For good sources of information on Idaho history, archaeology, and environmental education, visit the following web sites:

Idaho State Historical Society

BLM Idaho Teachers Tools

Project Archaeology

Teaching With Historic Places

Archaeology for Kids

The White Knob Historical Preservation Committee, working with Bureau of Land Management and USDA Forest Service archaeologists and many volunteers (recruited locally as well as through the Forest Service’s Passport in Time program, and through historic mining interest groups) have spearheaded much of the documentation, stabilization, and education efforts on the Mine Hill. To find out more about volunteer opportunities on the Mine Hill or with BLM in Idaho check out the links below.

BLM-Challis Field Office

White Knob Historical Preservation Committee

BLM- Idaho State Office

Passport in Time

BLM Volunteer Program Web site

Mackay is located in beautiful central Idaho. In addition to the fascinating history of the Mine Hill the area offers visitors the opportunity to partake in various recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, horseback riding, mountain-bike riding and traveling to back country areas. The following web sites will help you start planning your visit.

City of Mackay

Custer County

State of Idaho Visitors Guide

Idaho RV Campground Association

Idaho State Historical Society

Salmon-Challis National Forest

BLM-Challis Field Office

BLM-Shoshone Field Office

BLM-Idaho Falls Field Office

BLM-Salmon Field Office

We would like to thank the following people for their contributions to the Mackay Mine Hill and the development of this web page:

Photos Courtesy of:
Judy Malkiewicz
Bill Lee
Earl Lockie
South Custer Historical Society
Idaho Historical Society
Carol Hearne

White Knob Historical Preservation Committee Officers:
Earl Lockie, Chairman, Mackay, Idaho
Lowell Frauenholz, Vice-Chairman, Mackay, Idaho
Mick Hoover, Treasurer, Mackay, Idaho
Pam Lords, Secretary, Mackay, Idaho

White Knob Historical Preservation Committee Members (past and present):
Carol Benkosky, District Ranger, US Forest Service Little Lost Ranger District
Linda Clark, archaeologist, BLM-Challis Field Office
Kathleen Durfee, Interpretative Specialist, Idaho Parks and Recreation, Land of the Yankee Fork Interpretive Center
Melissa Fowler, Recreation Planner, Salmon-Challis National Forest, Little Lost Ranger District
Mike Greensides, Mackay resident
Carol Hearne, archaeologist, BLM-Challis Field Office
Otto Higbee, Mayor, Mackay Idaho
Lin Hintze, Custer County Commissioner
Ralph and Betty Martini, Mackay resident
Lynn Pitkin, Mackay resident
John Rose, archaeologist, Salmon-Challis National Forest
Dave Rosenkrance, Field Manager, BLM-Challis Field Office
Ruth and Nolan Sauerbreit, Mackay resident
Ben Sanford, Mackay resident
Renee Snyder, Field Manager, BLM-Challis Field Office
Dean Wall, Mackay resident
Leonard Wall, Mackay resident
Oscar Wornek, Mackay resident
Barbara Welch, Mackay resident

White Knob Anachronistic Society
James “Sam” Bass, Utah
Jim Besleme, Missouri
Peter Hahn,
Stan Jennings, Utah
Bill Lee, Idaho
David Rygmyr, Montana
John Wood, Oregon

BLM Professional Staff
Bill Baer, Fire Use Specialist, BLM-Challis Field Office
Jeff Christenson, Outdoor Recreation Planner, BLM-Challis Field Office
Steve Frazee, Civil Engineer, BLM - Idaho Falls District
Gloria Jakovac, Realty Specialist, BLM- Salmon Field Office
Ted Peterson, Equipment Operator, BLM-Idaho Falls District
Warren Trogden, Equipment Operator, BLM- Challis Field Office

Forest Service Professional Staff
Dan Bartel, Engine Foreman, Lost River Ranger District, Salmon-Challis National Forest
Jessica Bartel, Seasonal Fisheries Biologist, Lost River Ranger District, Salmon-Challis National Forest
Bart Gamett, Fisheries Bologist, Lost River Ranger District, Salmon-Challis National Forest
Will Marcroft, AFMO, Lost River Ranger District, Salmon-Challis National Forest
Mike Stewart, Hand Crew Foreman, Lost River Ranger District, Salmon-Challis National Forest

National Park Service Preservation Specialists
Hank Florence, Historic Architect
Craig Holmquist, Trails and Preservation Manager
Dana Barton, Historic Preservation Specialist
Brad Richardson, Historic Preservation Specialis