Syndicated newspaper columnist Walter Winchell (1897-1972) wrote in a column in March 1949:
“Sights You Never See on the New York Map: (...) ‘Ulcer County,’ the sector along Madison Avenue, where nearly all the important advertising agencies office.”
Working on a Madison Avenue advertising agency was (and still is) stressful and was believed to have caused ulcers. The name “Ulcer County” does not have any other known citations and is of historical interest today.
“Ulcer Gulch” is a similar name for Madison Avenue.
Wikipedia: Madison Avenue
Madison Avenue is a north-south avenue in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, United States, that carries northbound one-way traffic.
(...)
Since the 1920s, the street’s name has been metonymous with the American advertising industry. Therefore, the term “Madison Avenue” refers specifically to the agencies, and methodology of advertising.
23 March 1949, Newark (NJ) Star-Ledger, “On Broadway” by Walter Winchell, pg. 25, col. 2:
Sights You Never See on the New York Map: (...) “Ulcer County,” the sector along Madison Avenue, where nearly all the important advertising agencies office.
June 1949, Hearst’s International Combined with Cosmopolitan (New York, NY), “Winchell’s New York,” pg. 112, col. 2:
Sights You Never See on the New York Map: (...) “Ulcer County,” the sector along Madison Avenue, where nearly all the important advertising agencies office.
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.
Recent entries:
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“Instead of conspiracy theorist, I prefer to be called a connect the dots specialist” (3/20)
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“Let’s reduce drunk driving by taking cars away from sober drivers” (3/20)
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Entry in progress—BP (3/20)
More new entries...
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.
This site is edited by Barry Popik.