Mention the phrase “The Big Apple” and New York City immediately comes to mind. Indeed, the moniker has been associated with Gotham since the 1920’s. The term was originally associated with the large payouts for winners of horse races in the New York City area. John J. Fitzgerald, a sports writer for the New York Morning Telegraph is said to have overheard the use of the term from men working in the stables in New Orleans and incorporated the phrase into his articles on the horse races in the area. Gradually the phrase was used more widely to refer to the city formerly known as New Amsterdam and became well recognized due to vigorous marking efforts in the 1970’s
However, far to the south a real “Big Red Apple” was erected in the City of Cornelia, Georgia in 1925. Weighing in at 5,200 pounds, the sculpture was created as a tribute to the apple growers in the area. It still stands proudly in this lovely town is located 77 miles northeast of Atlanta in the Georgia foothills. The city hosts a Big Red Apple Festival annually in the fall. It is a wonderful gateway to the Georgia mountains. If you should decide to stop by and see the massive fruit for yourself, a visit to the Farmhouse Bakery is recommended. The brownies there are fabulous.
