“Poor New Mexico! So far from heaven and so close to Texas” was allegedly said by New Mexico governor Manuel Armijo, about 1850. The phrase has been placed on bumper stickers. I couldn’t find early, verifiable historical citations for this phrase, made popular by a novel in the early 1970s.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuel_Armijo
Manuel Armijo (c. 1793–1853) was a New Mexican soldier and statesman who served three times as governor of New Mexico.
25 November 1973, Los Angeles Times, pg. S70:
So Far From Heaven by Richard Bradford (Lippincott: $6.95).
(...)
Titled from Territorial Gov. Manuel Armijo’s classic remark in the early 1800s, “Poor New Mexico! So far from Heaven and so close to Texas,” this is Bradford’s second novel.
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
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