Wine grapes were first planted on the mountain in the 1870s by William Campbell Watson, grandson-in-law of settler George Yount.

Numerous wineries and health spas were built in the area in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

[3] In August 2020, Howell Mountain was evacuated due to the Hennessey Fire, which resulted in the burning of over 315,000 acres (127,476 ha) in five counties, including near Howell Mountain.

[4] Howell Mountain is located 5.5 miles (8.9 km) north-northeast of Saint Helena.

[2] For census purposes, it forms part of the Angwin census-designated place.