Plainview, Minnesota has been called the "Plateau of Plenty" since it was founded in 1856.  Over the past 150 years, this small town vied with other Wabasha County towns to become the county seat. It hosted the Wabasha County Fair until the late 1930s. Two major food processing plants located in Plainview in the last years of the 19th century and first years of the 20th century.

Plainview has a history center where residents and visitors can conduct geneological research, peruse documents and photos spanning a century of small town life, view displays of artifacts and attend history center events.

The Plainview History Center is located at 40 4th St. SW, and J.R. Watkins House is located at 130 3rd St. NW. The Center is open Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. and by appointment. Both facilities are closed on holidays.