In 1859, gold was discovered at Monoville.[1] A conduit was constructed to divert water from Virginia Creek to aid hydraulic mining operations.[1] This canal, termed the Mono Canal, was at its time the only such project in the county, and cost $75,000 to build.[2]
A post office operated at Monoville from 1859 to 1862.[1] At its peak, Monoville had a population over 1,000.[2] By 1868, however, the town was abandoned and such buildings as remained were in ruins by neglect and lack or repair after heavy snowfalls.[2]
^ abcdeDurham, David L. (1998). California's Geographic Names: A Gazetteer of Historic and Modern Names of the State. Clovis, Calif.: Word Dancer Press. p. 1202. ISBN1-884995-14-4.