[1] Pluvius began in the winter season between 1891 and 1892 after the build of a branch of the Northern Pacific Railroad (NP) through the area.

Due to the unrelenting rainfall during the construction, rail crew informed NP headquarters that they aptly chose the name after a moniker given to the Roman god, Jupiter.

[2] Pluvius was located 2 miles (3.2 km) west of the Pacific and Lewis county lines.

The community was situated at a divide between the watersheds of the Chehalis and Willapa rivers, known as the "hump".

[2] Washington State Route 6 and the Willapa Hills Trail bypass the extinct town.