The city of Abilene has many of the old city directories, they are located in the Genology Department at the Abilene City Library. On a recent trip to Abilene, the author of this page obtained the following information where Rev. W. A. Nicholas had had his Orphan's Home in Abilene. Rev. Nicholas had several locations for the West Texas Children's Aid And Welfare Association but today there is only one address with a structure still standing and that address is at 118 Orange Street at North 1st Street. Click photo of house on upper right for larger version of the 118 Orange St. home in Abilene.

Click photo to enlarge
The biological children of Rev. W. A. Nicholas, sent to the Adoptee Web Site by Carole Paulk who lives in Abilene, Texas. This is a very rare photograph, thanks Carole for sending it in..!! This photo was taken in 1914 and was printed on a post card, Click This Link to view the back of the card. The names of the children are: Vida 22, Fern 18, George 16, Alice 13, Aida 10.

Below are two children of Bro. Nicholas, Alice and Aida Nicholas, they attended Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. The photo of Alice (left) is from the 1921 Simmons University year book named "Bronco." The photo of Aida is from the 1928 "Bronco" year book.

ALICE NICHOLAS        AIDA NICHOLAS

1. 1924 The WTCA & W was located at 118 Orange Street Near downtown Abilene, Supt. W. A. Nicholas.

2. 1926 The WTCA & W was located at 118 Orange Street Near downtown Abilene, Supt. W. A. Nicholas.

3. 1928 The WTCA & W was located at 118 Orange Street Near downtown Abilene, Supt. W. A. Nicholas. The listing also shows that Miss Aida Nicholas was living at this address and she was a student at Simmons University in Abilene.

4. 1929 The WTCA & W was located at 118 Orange Street Near downtown Abilene, Supt. W. A. Nicholas. The listing also shows Rev. Nicholas' daughter Aida, was living at this address and that she was a music teacher.

5. 1931 The WTCA & W was located at 118 Orange Street Near downtown Abilene, Supt. W. A. Nicholas.

6. 1933 The WTCA & W was located at 1621 North 2nd Street and listed the address as the Orphans Home and residence for Supt. W. A. Nicholas and also for Nicholas Crain as well.

7. 1934 - 1935 The WTCA & W was located at 1621 North 2nd Street and listed the address as the Orphans Home and residence for Supt. W. A. Nicholas and also for Nicholas Crain as well. There is also for a Mrs. Frank W. Crain (Lena) as a field worker.

8. 1936 - 1937 The WTCA & W was located at 1621 North 2nd Street and listed the address as the Orphans Home and residence for Supt. W. A. Nicholas. There is also for a Mrs. Frank W. Crain (Lena) as a field worker.

9. 1937 - 1938 The WTCA & W was located at 1621 North 2nd Street and listed the address as the Orphans Home and residence for Supt. W. A. Nicholas. There is also for a Mrs. Frank W. Crain (Lena) as a field worker.

10. 1938 - 1940 The WTCA & W was located at 1621 North 2nd Street and listed the address as the Orphans Home and residence for Supt. W. A. Nicholas. There is also for a Mrs. Frank W. Crain (Lena) as a field worker.

11. 1941 The WTCA & W was located at 1602 Ambler Street and shows that this address was the Orphans Home and residence for Supt. W. A. Nicholas, on this year there is no mention of Mrs. Crain.

12. 1942 The WTCA & W was located at 1602 Ambler Street and shows that this address was the Orphans Home and residence for Supt. W. A. Nicholas, on this year there is no mention of Mrs. Crain.

13. 1943 The WTCA & W was located at 1602 Ambler Street and shows that this address was the Orphans Home and residence for Supt. W. A. Nicholas, on this year there is no mention of Mrs. Crain.

14. 1944 Rev. Nicholas was living in the Fincher Hotel in Abilene that was located at 926 North 2nd Street, the hotel is no longer there.

15. 1946 There is no more listings about the West Texas Children's Aid And Welfare Association, Rev. Nicholas or the Crains after 1944.