Abstract
The Aplin Family Scrapbooks (1927-1971) consists of four handmade scrapbooks compiled by Hilda Aplin. The scrapbooks contain photographs, correspondence, newspaper clippings, and handwritten captions. The majority of the collection focuses on Hilda and Charles Aplin’s involvement in the Fraternal Order of Eagles and Las Vegas Eagles Auxiliary #1213. Also included is a photograph album that details the family’s activities from 1927 to 1959, including notable locations around Las Vegas, Nevada such as Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Mt. Charleston, and annual Helldorado parades.
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Scope and Contents Note
The Aplin Family Scrapbooks (1927-1971) contain four handmade scrapbooks created by Hilda B. Aplin. The majority of the items detail Hilda and Charles Aplin’s involvement in the Fraternal Order of Eagles and Las Vegas Eagles Auxiliary #1213. The albums contain correspondence, certificates, photographs, and newspaper articles featuring members of the Aplin family and their involvement with the Fraternal Order of Eagles and other fraternal organizations. There are handwritten notes on almost all of the pages by Hilda Aplin.
Also included is a photograph album that details the family’s activities from 1927 to 1959, including notable Las Vegas, Nevada landmarks such as Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Mt. Charleston, annual Helldorado parades, the Union Pacific train depot in Las Vegas, and Lorenzi Park.
Access Note
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Materials in this collection may be protected by copyrights and other rights. See Reproductions and Use on the UNLV Special Collections and Archives website for more information about reproductions and permissions to publish.
Arrangement
Materials remain as they were received.
Biographical / Historical Note
Charles William Aplin was born on March 30, 1887 to Amanda Jane and William Luther Aplin. He was raised in Southern California, where his father worked painting buildings. Charles first came to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1904, and then returned with his family to settle permanently in Las Vegas in 1905. Charles and his father William established a painting business that same year. Charles went to Bakersfield, California in 1910 to work in the oil industry, and it was there that he joined the Fraternal Order of Eagles in 1911. In 1921, Charles established the Pioneer Painting Co., which he operated until 1942. He helped establish the first painter's union in Las Vegas, Local No. 159, and was the chapter’s first president. After selling his painting company in 1942, Charles began working for the Nevada State Highway Department, where he was employed until he retired in 1962. Hilda and Charles Aplin married in 1927, were longtime residents of Las Vegas, Nevada, and active in community organizations. Charles Aplin was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Knights of Pythias, North Las Vegas Lions Club, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Charles served as president of the Las Vegas Eagles in 1938 and 1949, and State Aerie President in 1957. The Aplins had four children: Charles Milton, William, Thelma, and Nadine.
Charles Aplin died at age 84 on November 13, 1971.
Sources:
Aplin, Charles W. “Charles W. Aplin: An Old Timer of Las Vegas.” Interview by Mary Ellen Glass. University of Nevada Oral
History Program, February 26-29, 1968. Transcript. https://archive.org/details/AplinCharles/mode/2up.
"Charles Aplin Funeral Services Set." Las Vegas Review-Journal, November 15, 1971.
Hilda Bush was born in 1907 in Chernigov, Ukraine, Russia. Her family immigrated to the United States and settled in Bakersfield, California. She completed her elementary school training coursework through the Mennonite Church of America Board of Education in September 1925. Hilda and Charles Aplin married in 1927.
The Aplins were longtime residents of Las Vegas, Nevada and were active in community organizations. Hilda Aplin was involved with the Pythian Sisters, Navy Mothers, American Red Cross, and local Parent Teachers Association chapters. Hilda was a charter member of the Las Vegas Eagles Auxiliary #1213, which formed in 1934. She served as the auxiliary's fourth president, and also served as the first Nevada State Auxiliary president. Hilda dropped most of her activities due to health concerns around 1963, choosing to focus solely on the Eagles. The couple had four children: Charles Milton, William, Thelma, and Nadine.
Hilda Aplin died on December 27, 1972 at age 65.
Sources:
"Rites for Hilda Aplin Slated for Saturday." Las Vegas Review-Journal, December 29, 1972.
Preferred Citation
Aplin Family Scrapbooks, 1927-1971. MS-00152. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Acquisition Note
Materials were donated by Charles M. Aplin in 1972; accession number 1972-002.
Processing Note
Material was processed in 1996 by Marie Imus. In 2016, Joyce Moore revised the collection description to bring it into compliance with current professional standards. In 2020, Landon Paljusaj enhanced the inventory and revised the finding aid in ArchivesSpace.