The name is derived from Samuel Reeves, who discovered the plains while in the employ of the South Australian Company.
Reeves Plains is halfway between Gawler and Mallala. The school opened in 1867 and closed in 1967. The post office is also closed. The Primitive Methodist church was built in 1873 next to the school. It became a Methodist church in 1900 and closed in 1938. When it was demolished in 1948, some of the material was used to extend the Redbanks church hall. There was also a tennis club at Reeves Plains.