A Little Bit Of Bronx Fun Was Popular At Cedar Point

Baby boomers who enjoyed a Bronx theme park more than 55 years ago continue to maintain fond memories of Freedomland U.S.A. Among the popular attractions at Freedomland were two dark rides -- Earthquake and Buccaneer -- that enjoyed second lives at Cedar Point.

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 experienced its unique American history-themed attractions. Contrary to what has become an urban legend in New York City, Freedomland’s failure was not caused by the arrival of 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. Besides Earthquake in the San Francisco themed area and Buccaneer in the New Orleans area, Freedomland featured the Tornado recreation in the New Orleans section of the park and a Mine Caverns ride deep into the earth in the Old Southwest themed area. The dark rides and several other attractions at the park 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.

The Cedar Point Connection

Following the closing of Freedomland, attractions, parts of attractions and many other park items were auctioned or sold. The Earthquake ride and the Buccaneer ride (renamed Pirate Ride) were obtained by Cedar Point and enjoyed two decades at that park. The relocation of these attractions is documented in the new Freedomland book.

Earthquake entertained Cedar Point guests from 1965 until 1984. The Pirate Ride operated from 1966 until 1996. The attractions are memorialized on tombstones in the park's Halloween freight fest graveyard.

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A Freedomland historian is searching for any information about these attractions at Cedar Point along with the location of any remnants of the rides. 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 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.