By Mike Virgintino

On June 19, 1960, a Sunday that also was Father’s Day, New Yorkers were introduced to a unique theme park. Unlike those that came before it and certainly never duplicated since, Freedomland U.S.A. (five seasons 1960-1964) incorporated American history into family entertainment.

In the northeast section of the Bronx, on the land now occupied by Co-op City and its shopping center, Freedomland U.S.A. was billed as “the world’s largest entertainment center.” On opening day, more than 60,000 people passed through its gates. They experienced cowboy shootouts, train robberies and space travel. All of it was situated on 85 acres carved into the shape of a map of the continental United States.

Freedomland was dubbed the “Disneyland of the East,” but it was so much more than a fantasy land. The park blended entertainment with education. It opened at a time when children were taught about the early history of the country in grade schools as television and theaters featured many popular westerns with historical themes.

Creation and construction of Freedomland was under the direction of Cornelius Vanderbilt (C.V.) Wood, Jr., founder and president of the Marco Engineering Company of Los Angeles. A few years earlier, Woody was named the first employee of Disneyland and he was instrumental in the development of that park. After he and the Disney brothers parted ways, Woody began designing theme parks around the country for entrepreneurs and investors. Only a handful were developed beyond the planning stages, and only one continues to operate – Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington. Woody’s research and design team that developed Freedomland consisted of 200 leading artists and architects. A considerable number of the creators had worked for Disney while others were from Hollywood, Broadway and television. This talented group featured 19 Academy Award nominees.

The home for Freedomland was marshland owned by William Zeckendorf, Sr., the real estate baron of the day, and his Webb & Knapp company. Zeckendorf championed placing the park on his land, which faced development restrictions from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He anticipated that Freedomland would be the catalyst to remove these restrictions – and he was correct.

History And Entertainment

Freedomland featured seven themed historical areas: Little Old New York focused on lower Manhattan of the late 1800s, in Old Chicago of 1871 children and adults fought the great fire, The Great Plains of 1803-1900 showcased a fort and farmland, San Francisco of 1906 introduced a dark ride that simulated the devastating earthquake, The Old Southwest of 1890 incorporated the tough western towns of the time, New Orleans celebrated Mardi Gras and was the location of the centennial commemoration of the Civil War, and Satellite City showcased the future. Among the more than 25 sponsors for the many attractions during the park’s lifetime were American Express, The Bank of New York, The Borden Company, Braniff International Airways, Eastman Kodak, Hallmark, R.H. Macy, the Santa Fe Railway and the F&M Schaefer Brewing Company.

During the park’s second season (1961), management conceived an idea to attract audiences beyond families with young children. The Moon Bowl, which was situated in Satellite City, was created to host swing bands from the 1940s for older adults and contemporary pop stars for young adults and teenagers. The venue featured a 15,000-square-foot outdoor dance floor. More than 150 celebrity singers, musicians and other entertainers appeared in the spotlight, including Paul Anka, Tony Bennett, Count Basie, Chubby Checker, Dick Clark, Bobby Darin, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Brenda Lee, the Lennon Sisters, Ricky Nelson, Bobby Rydell, The Supremes and The Temptations.

Comic relief was provided by “Toody” and “Muldoon” (Joe E. Ross and Fred Gwynne) from the popular TV show Car 54, Where Are You?, The Three Stooges and other comedians of the day. Officer Joe Bolton joined the Stooges at Freedomland and other children’s television hosts who appeared at the park included Sandy Becker, Claude Kirchner, Captain Jack McCarthy and Chuck McCann. Many of New York City’s popular radio DJs, including Murray the K (Kaufman), Cousin Bruce Morrow and Scott Muni, hosted their shows at Freedomland.

Freedomland Begins To Close

Catching the public by surprise, much of the San Francisco area of the park was not accessible during 1964 as management proclaimed that a “bigger and better” Freedomland was the objective for 1965. Then, on September 15, 1964, the park filed for bankruptcy. Freedomland never opened for the 1965 season. Proposed suggestions including reducing the park to 30 acres or to move the entire park to Dunedin, Florida. All this confusion contributed to the rise of the urban myth that Freedomland could not compete with the New York World’s Fair.

Unknown to C.V. Wood and his park creators, the many employees and Freedomland’s fans, William Zeckendorf, local and state politicians, city planners and construction unions always considered the park a temporary occupant of the property that was ripe for development. Their goal was to obtain variances that permitted residential and commercial construction on the marshland. A negotiated agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers required a five-year waiting period that conveniently coincided with the park’s short life. Following the removal of Freedomland, land preparation and construction began for Co-op City, which had been designed during the late 1950s. The world’s largest cooperative housing development has occupied the site for the past 50-plus years.

Today, a small park on the north side of the community’s Bartow Avenue features a plaque that commemorates Freedomland. It was dedicated during 2013. A few years later, remnants of one of the Little Old New York tug boats were placed near the plaque. The park’s legacy continues to thrive in articles, on social media and in several books.

Freedomland’s Connections To Westchester

Tens of thousands of Westchester County residents enjoyed Freedomland and a considerable number of people from the county worked at the park. Several Westchester communities also can boast about connections to the entertainment center.

Dobbs Ferry: About 25,000 people attended Preview Day on June 18, 1960. Children were treated to a parade through the park. Organized as a fundraiser, the day’s proceeds benefited several youth charities, including The Children’s Village Interfaith Chapel Fund.

Mamaroneck: Freedomland participated in a 1962 parade. Atop a park stagecoach were Penobscot Nation Chief Black Hawk (Elmer Attean), rodeo, stage and television actor Don Crabtree (part Native American who portrayed park cowboy Johnny Freedom), singer Elaine Spaulding and two Bronx sisters in Native American attire.

New Rochelle: Paul Ashley (Pasquale Sposato), a park creator, lived here. He was known for his puppets on local (Chuck McCann’s children shows) and national television programs.

Port Chester: After the park closed, “The American” sternwheeler, one of two such boats at the park, was moved to Greenwich, Connecticut. It later became a private party boat on the Port Chester side of the Byrum River. It was destroyed accidentally during 2018.

Scarsdale: Lawrence Labriola Nurseries assisted the landscapers with preparation of the ground and the planting of shrubs and trees. Morgan Press printed many materials for the park and for guests at its Little Old New York shop.

Yonkers: Crown Paper Company supplied various products during the inaugural season. Resident musician Gene Krupa and his quartet appeared at the Moon Bowl.

White Plains: White Plains Iron Works provided structural steel and iron work for the construction phase.

Mike Virgintino is the author of two books about Freedomland published by Theme Park Press. Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History and Freedomland U.S.A.: More Definitive History can be found on Amazon and other online retailers. The author also is the administrator of four Freedomland social media sites (Facebook, Instagram, X and Pinterest) and he provides presentations about the park at local libraries, historical societies, and civic and other organizations. Contact him at Freedomlandusa@yahoo.com