125 West Main Street
Plainfield, Indiana – Masonic Building

A Landmark is Born

On June 1, 1915, the Plainfield Lodge No. 653 of the Free and Accepted Masons approved the purchase of land at the southeast corner of Main and Center Streets—a decision that would permanently shape the heart of Plainfield. Chartered in 1904, the lodge was in search of a permanent meeting place. The property, once home to two older structures, was selected as the site for the Masons’ grand new Masonic Temple, more commonly known to locals as the Masonic Building.

The Lodge has served as landlord for the commercial tenants at 125 West Main Street ever since.

Before Construction: Two Early Buildings

The corner featured a two-story frame structure, built in 1851 by Jesse Hockett.

Next door stood a smaller frame building erected in 1866 by Dr. John Strong and later occupied by Dr. Amos Carter.

Both buildings were demolished in July 1915 to make way for the new project.

Construction & Praise

Groundbreaking: September 7, 1915
Cornerstone laid: October 1915
Completion: Summer 1916
Total cost: $30,000

The Plainfield Messenger praised the structure as:

“An object of admiration to all who see it… a building of which her citizens are justly proud.”

Second Floor: The Masonic Temple

The second floor became the official lodge space, featuring:

Reception room, parlor, kitchen, dining room
A rooftop garden
The lodge room, with a domed ceiling and the Eye of Providence at its center

An apartment was also built at the front of the second floor, originally rented by Ira and Dora Holsclaw.

First Floor: Early Tenants and Evolution

Main Street Frontage

Symons Hardware was the first commercial tenant
Replaced in 1920 by the Franklin Store, then D.G. Marlin’s grocery
1922: Grocery vacated, making room for the Quaker Oil Company Tire Department
1927: Chrisman’s Café opened, starting a long tradition of eateries at the location

Restaurants Through the Years

Chrisman’s Café (1927–1938): Run by Jesse and Irene Chrisman; Jesse passed away in the apartment in 1948
Logan Morris Café (1938–1944): Noted for cleanliness and service
Frederick’s Café (1944–1947): Renovated and redecorated by James “Leo” and Ethel Frederick
Greene’s Café (1947–1948): James Greene, a Bataan Death March survivor, purchased it alongside his market
Winsted Café (1948–1953): Run by Floyd “Billy” and Mae Winsted, known for its pies and 5¢ coffee
Sunshine Café (1953–1962): Opened by George Cass, named in honor of his cheerful wife Betsy

Center Street Side: Three Addresses

Originally two commercial units, the Center Street side was subdivided into four spaces between 1934 and the mid-1940s:

📍 109 South Center Street

1934: Romney & Denton Smith Meat Market
1935: Grocery by Frank Hadley & John Tharp
1937–1944: Burkie’s Market (Grover Burkholder)
1944: James Greene takes over
1953–1959: Lewellen’s Market
1962–1977: Indiana Gas and Water Company
1980s: Fiddle De De handicraft store
Today: Center Street Styling Salon

📍 111 South Center Street

1944: Bajith Studio, a portrait photography studio by Loren Whitfield
1940s–1950s: Used as an apartment
1953: Pete’s Cleaners
1993: Owen Sales and Associates
2007–2013: Land Sciences, Inc.
Later tenants: Rachel Monday’s Massage Therapy for Women, now Mutty Paws Pet Styling

📍 113 South Center Street

1936: Plainfield Beauty Shop by Olive Thompson
Later stylists: Dorothy Winsted, Irene Ford, Lucile Pratt, Louvenia Long
1946: Became Mike’s Dry Cleaners (briefly)
1946–1975: Dr. Neville Boone, dentist
1976–1977: Evelyn’s Dress Shop
Late 1970s–early 1990s: E & J Ceramics, followed by LaDonna’s Ceramic Shoppe
2011–Present: Mr. Electric of Central Indiana – Known for their “leg lamp” holiday display

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