Town rights were granted on April 26, 1927, simultaneously with the incorporation of the neighboring settlement of Gostiņi into Pļaviņas. However, in 1930, at the request of the residents, Gostiņi was excluded from the town limits.
In 1949, the city became a district center. It housed the executive committee, district court and prosecutor's office, financial department, and a bank. In 1956, Gostiņi was once again incorporated into the town. In 1959, the district was dissolved.[5]
