“Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive Story”

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 at the suggested retail price of $24.95.

Published by Theme Park Press, the world's leading independent publisher of books about the Disney company and its history, the 300+-page tale includes first-time interviews with park employees and never before published photographs. Located in The Bronx, 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. (join 10,000 on 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, still prosper. The northeast Bronx marshland that featured Freedomland U.S.A. eventually became the Co-op City housing development and the Bay Plaza Shopping Center.

An Entertainment Placeholder

Unknown to Woody and the general public that adored Freedomland U.S.A. during the early 1960s, landowner William Zeckendorf, Sr., local politicians, city planners and construction unions considered the park a “placeholder” until property variances permitted significant development on the marshland. The variances provided the green light for the construction of Co-op City.

Terry Buchalter of Dobbs Ferry worked at Freedomland. His memories are featured in the chapter of the book that addresses the park’s final season. As management prepared to declare bankruptcy to clear the land for development, part of the park was closed to the public during 1964. Trade advertisements aimed at other entertainment venues announced the eventual availability of attractions. Portions of Freedomland were turned into a carnival setting, with many games of chance replacing some of the original history-themed attractions.

“It was my first job after graduating from Taft High School prior to starting at City College,” said Buckalter. “Underage at 17, and not able to work the games of chance, my job was to stock the game booths… and maintain the inventory of rag dolls ($.35 each), plush toys (poodles $2.50 each) and plastic back scratchers that came packed in huge quantities…I rose to [the] position handling the prize inventory and was paid $100 a week, a handsome sum for a teen in those days.”

Buchalter’s vivid recollections include the unusual personalities of the game operators who had brought their games of chance to the park along with stories about Irvin Feld (the music producer who owned the concession and eventually owned Ringling Brothers Circus).

Following college, Buchalter became a New York City public school science teacher and eventually the director of the planetarium in the Co-op City school complex.

“I often quipped,” said Buckalter, “that I had greater tenure than any other employee in the school since I could trace my roots back to Freedomland.”

When addressing the demise of the park, Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History puts to rest what has become an urban legend – the closing of Freedomland had nothing to do with the arrival of the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair.

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To arrange a group presentation about the history of Freedomland along with a memorabilia display, contact Freedomlandusa@yahoo.com .

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Chicago Fire And Vintage Steam Trains

Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History features stories about the building of the park 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 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 Civil War armies. Guests also enjoyed Wild West shoot-outs at Fort Cavalry and staged robberies on vintage steam trains. Young children especially enjoyed a ride aboard Danny the Dragon, the fire-breathing mythical monster with a heart of gold.

The new book is filled with documentation about the more than 150 celebrities of the day who appeared at the park. Freedomland memories are provided by Pat Boone, Kathy Lennon of The Lennon Sisters, Sonny Fox of Wonderama and others. A wonderful remembrance is shared by the daughter of television circus ringmaster Claude Kirchner, and several character actors—gunslinger Billy the Kid and cowgirl star Annie Oakley—provide readers with interesting park history and behind-the-scenes stories.