A Little Bit Of Bronx Fun Was Relocated To Lake George

Baby boomers who enjoyed a Bronx history theme park more than 55 years ago continue to maintain fond memories of Freedomland U.S.A. After Freedomland closed, fans of Storytown USA in Lake George for many years enjoyed several attractions and other features that had been relocated from the New York City park.

Freedomland U.S.A. (visit the Facebook group) was celebrated as the “Disneyland of the East.” While it survived only five seasons (1960-1964), to this day the park is recalled by many guests who enjoyed its American history-themed attractions. Contrary to what has become an urban legend in New York City, Freedomland’s failure was not caused by the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair. A new book, Freedomland U.S.A. – The Definitive History , published by Theme Park Press, 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 and other online stores at the suggested retail price of $24.95.

Freedomland's attractions included the recreation of the Chicago Fire, a trip on a bull boat in America’s untamed wilderness on the Northwest Fur Trapper adventure and several dark rides. Among these dark rides was Tornado that appeared in the New Orleans themed area of the park. Tornado was purchased by Charles Wood, the creator of Storytown, and installed in his park after it had appeared for a few years at Kennywood Amusement Park in Pennsylvania.

Storytown also featured a section of another Freedomland dark ride. Portions of Mine Caverns, a ride deep into a working mine, were incorporated into the tunnel of the Lake George's train ride. The dark rides at Freedomland were created by Arrow Development, which designed attractions for Disneyland and many other parks.

A stuffed moose and giant cowboy boots from Freedomland's Northwest Fur Trapper attraction also were relocated to Storytown. The Crystal Maze (mirror house) building at Freedomland was sent to Lake George along with the park's 1912 Dentzel known as the King Rex Carrousel. The popular Danny the Dragon ride at Storytown also got its start in The Bronx.

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A Freedomland historian continues to research the destination of the park's attractions and is seeking information and stories related to these attractions and other parts of the park that were relocated to Wood's Storytown USA and/or Gaslight Village. Email Freedomlandusa@yahoo.com .

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What Happened To Freedomland?

Freedomland U.S.A. 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. Several continue to prosper.

Unknown to Woody and the general public at the time, landowner William Zeckendorf, Sr., local politicians, city planners and construction unions considered the park a “placeholder” until property variances permitted significant development on marshland. The variances provided the green light for the construction of Co-op City, the largest cooperative housing community in the world. A shopping center was added about a decade later and an indoor mall was constructed on the remaining undeveloped land associated with Freedomland during 2012.

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Mike Virgintino is the author of Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History, the story about America's theme park located in The Bronx. Published by Theme Park Press, it can be found on Amazon, eBay and Goodreads.