[4] Washington Irving Griffin settled along a freight trail in an area known as Paradise Flats in 1877.

In order to establish a post office, Griffin completed a US Postal Service application that required the signature of the local Justice of the Peace.

While reviewing the application, Justice of the Peace Lambert P. Darland suggested the name "Plainville".

The first city council consisted of Dr. Volney M. Gray, Murray C. Knox, John Mullin, George Brooks and David E.

The train tracks ran parallel to Mill Street, approximately one block to the north.

The flour produced by the mill was of such fine quality, the company won a gold medal at the 1904 World's Fair.

The fire apparently started in a butcher shop on the south side of Mill Street in the early morning hours.

The burned out wooden buildings were replaced with stone and brick structures, many still standing on Mill Street today.

[10][11][12] Plainville lies in the Smoky Hills region of the Great Plains on the north side of Paradise Creek, a tributary of the Saline River.

Southwest of the city, the creek has been dammed to form a small reservoir, Plainville Township Lake.

[13] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.24 square miles (3.21 km2), all land.

[17] The 2020 United States census counted 1,746 people, 784 households, and 475 families in Plainville.

Plainville City Park includes a playground, basketball court and swimming pool.

[40] Plainville Township Lake is located a half mile west of town.

Rooks County Golf Course is a nine-hole, public course located 5 miles north of Plainville.

[47][48] Radio station KFIX is licensed to Plainville, but broadcasts from Hays, Kansas playing a Classic rock format.

[49][50] U.S. Route 183 runs north–south through Plainville, intersecting highway K-18 on the northern end of town.

Rooks County Regional Airport is located seven miles north of Plainville.

Rooks County Health Center is located on the north end of Plainville.