65 Years Ago Was The Debut Of Freedomland U.S.A.

Freedomland U.S.A., the American history theme park that was located in the Bronx (1960-1964) and currently is celebrated in books, articles, broadcast programs and on social media, will mark the 65th anniversary of its debut (Father’s Day ~July 19, 1960) during 2025.

Freedomland U.S.A. was located on marshland in the northeast portion of the borough. The land previously was the home for Native Americans (Lenape) and then Dutch and English settlers who operated mills. Freedomland is featured on Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter and Pinterest. The park’s history has been documented in two books, Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History (Theme Park Press, 2018) and Freedomland U.S.A.: More Definitive History (Theme Park Press, 2024). Both books can be found on various online retail sites, including Amazon.

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Presentations about Freedomland U.S.A. are featured throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. For 2025, the 65th anniversary of the park’s debut, libraries, museums, adult education, and historical and civic organizations can schedule a program that includes a park memorabilia display. For more information, email Freedomlandusa@yahoo.com or send a direct message through the social media platforms.

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Freedomland featured seven themed American history sections. Little Old New York focused on lower Manhattan of the late 1800s while Old Chicago of 1871 featured the great fire, sternwheelers on the Great Lakes and other attractions. The additional themed areas were The Great Plains of 1803-1900, San Francisco of 1906, The Old Southwest of 1890, New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras and the location of the Civil War attraction, and Satellite City to showcase the future.

The park was created and built by C.V. Wood, Disneyland’s first employee who supported the efforts of the Disney brothers to create their park. He designed other parks, including Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, and became involved with the Riverwalk in San Antonio and the community of Lake Havesu, Arizona, that included the relocation of the original London Bridge.

Freedomland Closes

Former Disney employees, Hollywood and Broadway creative personnel, and talent from New York City television contributed to the creation of Freedomland. Unknown to Wood and Freedomland’s fans, the landowner, local politicians, city planners and construction unions considered the park a temporary occupant of the property until land variances permitted significant development of the marshland for housing and shopping. The site for the last 50-plus years has been the location of Co-op City, the world’s largest cooperative complex.

When Freedomland auctioned or sold its attractions, the two sternwheelers from the park’s Great Lakes were relocated to Connecticut. “The Canadian” lasted for about 35 years at Johnsonville Village in East Haddam. “The American” became part of the Greenwich Inn and survived until 2018.

Contemporary Artwork

For the anniversary year, Freedomland social media is shining the spotlight on an exciting contemporary work that is featured in artist Connie Manna’s series “Growing up Bronx.” The series includes her childhood memories of Fordham Road, the Throgs Neck Bridge, the Third Avenue El and movie theaters. Manna was raised only blocks away from the park. “Freedomland” is acrylic on canvas, 3x4-feet and features a modernistic view of key park sights and attractions.

“My whole series of Bronx paintings is based more on my memories than actual photos,” said Manna, “so some objects are depicted through that lens.”

Manna provides presentations and exhibitions of “Growing Up Bronx” along with her other work. Her artwork has been exhibited in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Washington, D.C. She also is associated with art enrichment programs in Connecticut and with ArtsWestchester, Westchester County libraries and Connecticut Continuing Education. Learn more at her website (https://conniemanna.com) and contact her at conniemanna2@gmail.com .