New Book Features Ties Between NYC’s Freedomland and Disneyland

Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History is a new book that documents the entire story from conception to bankruptcy of one of the most innovative and beloved theme parks in America. It is available on Amazon, eBay, Barnes & Noble and Goodreads. The suggested retail price is $24.95.

Published by Theme Park Press, the world's leading independent publisher of books about the Disney company and its history, its films and animation, and its theme parks, the 300+-page tale includes first-time interviews with park employees and never before published photographs. Located in New York City, Freedomland U.S.A. was celebrated as the “Disneyland of the East.” While it survived only five seasons (1960-1964), to this day the park generates fond memories among baby boomers who enjoyed its American history-themed attractions.

Freedomland U.S.A. (visit the Facebook group) was conceived and built by C.V. Wood and his Marco Engineering Company. Known to many as Woody, he was Disneyland’s first employee and he brought Walt Disney’s imagination to life by leading the team that built that park. He then created Marco Engineering to build theme parks and other venues across the country. Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington and the community of Lake Havasu, Arizona, prosper today. The northeast Bronx marshland that featured Freedomland U.S.A. eventually became a housing development and a shopping center.

Other Disney Connections

A number of Disneyland employees moved to Marco Engineering or were hired by Wood for special projects to help launch Freedomland. Van Arsdale France was a member of the latter fraternity. He knew Wood from their earlier days at an aircraft manufacturer.

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Photo: Van Arsdale France is featured in Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History, the new book published by Theme Park Press. Courtesy Michael R. Virgintino Collection

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France eventually returned to Disney’s employ and he has been remembered since 1994 on a Main Street, U.S.A. window. But, before he returned to California, France created the “Be a Friendly Freedomlander” employee handbook and training for the New York park. He also handled a number of other activities for Freedomland’s grand opening. In Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History, daughter Cheri France and surrogate daughter Susan Webb Fields of San Diego provide a moving memory of France.

“After Freedomland was completed, Van, C.V. Wood, and, I imagine, other people went to the 21 Club in Manhattan,” Fields recalled in the book. “They were celebrating and C.V. had a tower of champagne glasses set up and was pouring a huge bottle of the best champagne. Van just happened to cross his legs and knocked the whole thing over. After it was cleaned and C.V. asked for more glasses and champagne, he looked at Van and said, ‘Van, take your chair and back away from the table.’

“Van was always spilling coffee, burning holes in his clothes with his cigarettes, or just spilling food on beautiful new suits and shirts. He liked to drink out of crystal glasses, which he constantly broke and had to replace. None of these things bothered him at all.”

Historically Themed Attractions

The new book features stories about the building of Freedomland and background about the various attractions from the recreation of the Chicago Fire to a trip on a bull boat in America’s untamed wilderness on the Northwest Fur Trapper attraction. Dark rides included the Earthquake of San Francisco, a Buccaneer attraction (with connections to Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean) and the Tornado recreation in the New Orleans section of the park, and a Mine Caverns ride deep into the earth in the Old Southwest. The dark rides and several other attractions were created by Arrow Development, which designed attractions for Disneyland and many other parks.

Another popular Freedomland attraction allowed guests to witness the early stages of audio-automatronics as they rode on a correspondents’ wagon through the battle lines of rival American Civil War armies. During the early 1960s, America was commemorating the centennial of the War Between the States.

Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History is filled with documentation about the more than 150 celebrities of the day who appeared at the park. They included Paul Anka, Louis Armstrong, The Four Seasons, Benny Goodman, The Lennon Sisters and The Three Stooges. A section of the book also features the memories of baby boomers who, as kids, were in awe of the park’s history, fun, entertainment and excitement.