The current territory of the district was split between Gdovsky Uyezd (west) and Luzhsky Uyezd (east). Between 1851 and 1862, the railway connecting St. Petersburg and Warsaw via Pskov was built and crossed Luzhsky Uyezd. This facilitated economic development of the eastern part of the current territory of the district. A station was built close to the village of Belaya in 1856. As it is a common name, to avoid duplication, in 1905 the station was renamed Strugi-Belye, incorporating the name of the village of Strugi. In 1919, Strugi Belye was an arena of important events of the Russian Civil War. Originally, the territory east of Lake Peipus was under control of the revolutionary government. On October 4, 1919, the White Army troops of Nikolai Yudenich captured the station of Strugi Belye during an advance. In November 1919, the Red Army recaptured it. Subsequently, to avoid connotations with the White Army, the station was renamed Strugi Krasnye (with "krasny" meaning "red" in Russian). On August 1, 1927, the uyezds were abolished and Strugo-Krasnensky District was established, with the administrative center in the settlement of Strugi Krasnye. It included parts of former Luzhsky and Gdovsky Uyezds. The governorates were abolished as well and the district became a part of Luga Okrug of Leningrad Oblast. On July 23, 1930, the okrugs were also abolished, and the districts were directly subordinated to the oblast. On January 1, 1932, Plyussky and Novoselsky Districts were abolished and Strugo-Krasnensky District was expanded with parts of their territories. On February 15, 1935, both districts were re-established. Between March 22, 1935 and September 19, 1940, Strugo-Krasnensky District was a part of Pskov Okrug of Leningrad Oblast, one of the okrugs abutting the state boundaries of the Soviet Union. Between August 1941 and February 1944, Strugo-Krasnensky District was occupied by German troops. On August 23, 1944, Strugo-Krasnensky District was transferred to newly established Pskov Oblast.