Mogriguy was first named Goonoo after the forest alongside the cutter’s depot. After confusion with Goonoo Goonoo near Tamworth the name was changed to Mogriguy. The name is believed to have been from a nearby property and creek.

The village began as a sleeper cutters’ depot. The sleeper cutting business was popular with the railways spreading across the state and country. Prices for sleepers made for an equitable business. The railway reached Mogriguy in 1901, and the government commenced land settlement in the area. Many settlers came and began employment as wood cutters, and farming began in the region. Two large stores opened in Mogriguy by the later mayor of Dubbo George Wheeler, and Percy Wallace.

In 1907 Mogriguy School was opened, and the village grew to over 300 people by 1912. The area was struck hard by the drought of 1918-1920 which concluded with flooding in 1920. In a likeness to recent times, stock prices reached highs, followed by a fall in prices. Those that had restocked animals at the market highs struggled to recoup finances. Luckily the year’s crops of wheat and oats were bumper seasons and helped finance those in need.

In the 1930s a graded road was established between Mogriguy and Dubbo. As travel became easier between the village and larger centres the population gradually dwindled.