A Little Building with a Big Story: 111 South Vine Street
Tucked just behind Main Street, the modest building at 111 South Vine Street has been part of Plainfield’s history for over 120 years. From family homestead to town offices, from donut shop to pizzeria, it has reinvented itself again and again—always managing to survive and stay useful.
From the Boggs Family to a Busy Workshop
- In the 1890s, Christine “Tenie” Boggs purchased the lot and built a small frame house.
- In 1901, Tenie sold the property to her brother Newton Boggs and his wife, Nannie Spoon.
- Records suggest they tore down Tenie’s house and rebuilt around 1904—this is the core of the structure we see today.
- Newton was a carpenter who also ran a shoe repair and furniture shop out back, even adding a concrete block workshop to the rear of the house.
But not all was peaceful—Newton and Nannie divorced in 1908. She kept the house, renting it to others while she moved away.
Tenants and Travelers
Through the early 1900s, the house became home to a string of working families:
- A railroad mail clerk and his wife around 1910
- Donald Douglas, an express messenger who traveled with Wells Fargo and later the railway, protecting valuable cargo ranging from money to circus animals
The Vine Street house wasn’t just a home—it was part of Plainfield’s growing connection to the wider world.
The Fire of 1923
On May 7, 1923, disaster struck nearby. A fire started in Robert Cook’s garage just south of the house.
- The flames spread quickly to barns, garages, and the Red Men’s Hall.
- Plainfield’s volunteer firefighters rushed to the scene with a wagon designed to be pulled by a Model T. Townspeople joined in, forming bucket brigades.
- Reinforcements arrived from Indianapolis and the Indiana Boys’ School.
When the smoke cleared:
- Three garages, two homes, and the Red Men’s Hall were destroyed.
- 111 South Vine was badly damaged but survived, thanks to neighbors hauling out furniture and volunteers working to save it.
Town Hall and Fire Department
- In 1930, the Town of Plainfield purchased the building for a new town hall, but Depression-era finances meant remodeling instead of rebuilding.
- In 1944, it gained a new role as the fire station, with:
- A 10×30 ft addition to house the fire truck
- A hose-drying tower
- A 10×30 ft addition to house the fire truck
- For four years, town government and firefighters worked side by side in the little Vine Street building.
By 1948, both town offices and the fire department moved to West Main Street, and the building entered a new era.
Businesses That Called It Home
After the town moved out, 111 South Vine became a lively commercial hub. Over the decades it housed:
- Thornton Tinning & Furnace Service (1948)
- Plainfield TV Shop (1950s)
- Al’s Donut Shop (1959–1963, before moving to its famous home)
- Pizza King (1965–1990), beloved by generations of high schoolers
- Later: flower shops, cupcake bakeries, boutiques, and even a retro diner
Today, the building is home to Greek’s Pizzeria—still serving as a place to gather and enjoy good food.
A Survivor with Stories to Tell
In its long life, this little building has been:
- A family home and carpenter’s shop
- A survivor of Plainfield’s most dangerous fire
- The center of town government and firefighting
- A hangout spot for teens and families
Through fires, remodels, and changing times, 111 South Vine Street has remained a steady presence in Plainfield life—proof that even the smallest buildings can hold the biggest stories.
