The community was named for Gilbert Ross, a Métis man who was living in the region when the first European settler, Glenlyon Campbell, arrived.

[6] A local newspaper, The Exponent, serviced both Gilbert Plains and its neighboring town, Grandview.

[7] A weekly non-profit newspaper, The Plain View, published its first issue on 5 June 2018, and has been running ever since.

The community is located on Highway 5 and the CN railway line between Dauphin and Grandview, approximately 250 miles (400 km) northwest of Winnipeg.

Gilbert Plains railway station receives Via Rail service.