The Big Apple: “Big Apple” date?: January 15, 1920

A plaque remaining from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem.

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.

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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Entry from July 11, 2004

“Big Apple” date?: January 15, 1920

It is probable (although not certain) that we have almost the exact date for the "Big Apple" utterance by the New Orleans Fair Grounds stable hands. John J. Fitz Gerald wrote that he had met Jake Byer at the Fair Grounds when this happened. I found this piece of the puzzle, from the New York Morning Telegraph, January 15, 1920, pg. 3, column 1:

J. J. Fitz Gerald has sold the 3-year-old colt Dunsandel to J. Byer and the aged plater Onwa to G. R. Allen at private terms. Allen will ship Onwa to Tia Juana to-night.

Posted by Barry Popik
New York City • The Big Apple • 1920s: John J. Fitz Gerald and the N.Y. Morning Telegraph • Sunday, July 11, 2004 • Permalink