Aplington is a city in Butler County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,116 at the 2020 census. History In the summer of 1857, the village of Aplington was laid out and platted by the proprietors, Thomas Nash, R. R. Parriott, Zenas Aplington and Theodore A. Wilson on Sec. 29 [of Monroe Township]. At the time one house stood on the tract of land, which had been erected and occupied by Charles Savage, a New Englander, a settler of short duration. The town was incorporated in the '80s [1880s] and has grown to be a lively and thriving trading point of 500 people. No better soil or finer farms lie out of doors than those contributing to the wealth of this community and with the Iowa division of the Illinois Central Railroad good transportation facilities appreciably add to the desirability of Aplington as a place for business activity and easy communication with the outside world. The town was named by its promoters in honor of one of their number, Zenas Aplington, a resident of Illinois, who never lived here. He owned part of the land, however, and took a lively interest in the town's welfare until his death, which occurred while serving his country in the War of the Rebellion. The first building erected in Aplington was built by Zenas Aplington in 1856. He also furnish a stock of general merchandise. The building stood on the south side of Parriott Street, and the first Aplington merchant, George W. Hunter, sold goods over the counters here about one year for Mr. Aplington. He was succeeded by Chester Stilson, who ran the store eighteen months; then it closed its doors. However, in 1864, Isaac Hall opened a general store in this building. He sold his stock to C. S. Price, who a year later closed out at auction. The father of Charles Savage was an early settler in this part of the county and set up a blacksmith forge in a roofless sod house. This was the first smithy in the southern part of Butler County. William Bisbee came here in 1857 and opened a blacksmith shop for Zenas Aplington and managed it one year that enterprising non-resident. He then engaged in the trade for himself and continued therein for many years. Mrs. Rachel Quinn built and presided over the first hotel in 1858. E. Y. Royer bought the property in 1866