Athe definitive history, documents the entire story from conception to bankruptcy of one of the most innovative and beloved theme parks in america. The park and its attractions were located on 85 acres by comparison, disneyland attractions occupy 65 acres and palisades amusement park was just 30 acres, with the remaining 120 acres reserved for maintenance and parking. The bronx, new york february 1, 2019 freedomland u. A detailed book about the parks history, freedomland u. New book on freedomland dives into the parks many disney connections by chuck schmidt posted on posted on may 6, 2019 in researching my book, disneys dream weavers, which dealt with the common thread i felt ran between disneyland, freedomland, the 19641965 new york worlds fair and walt disney world, there were plenty of sources i.
Here, on what had previously been empty marshland from a birdseye view you would see an 85acre amusement park shaped like a miniature continental united states buffered by a 120acre parking lot. Freedomland amusement park in amusement park collectibles for. Celebrating the short, sweet ride of freedomland the new. Freedomland was replaced by another oddity the massive coop city, housing over 50,000 residents, and often referred to as a city within a city. This promotional video provides a rare glimpse at freedomland usa, new york citys shortlived and largely forgotten answer to disneyland that closed 50. Dec 21, 2019 freedomland was once a thriving allamerican amusement park built on an undeveloped marshland along i95, just northwest of the hutchinson river parkway. The theme park, freedomland, is long gone, but one man who helped build it and tear it down celebrates it in a new book. At the time freedomland opened in the bronx, we had quite a number of other amusement park options. This is the most comprehensive collection of photos and memories ive yet to find. 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.
The book s name comes from the shortlived american history amusement park that was built in the shape of the united states in the early 1960s in the bronx, where coop city is now. The rise and suspiciously rapid fall of freedomland u. His new novel, palisades park, is a return to his roots. Before regional theme parks proliferated across the american landscape there was freedomland u. Virgintino theme park press, freedomland, on the site where the coop city housing development now stands, was a place where you could ride a horsedrawn. Now, in a new book, i am able to document the full story of that beloved theme park and to tell all who were there, and the many others who wish they had experienced it, about its proper place in american theme park history. Since this is just a brief introductory history of freedomland u. Sep 27, 2019 a theme park rivaling the size of disneyland once stood in the bronx. But fond memories live on among bronxites of a certain age, as do. New book about a defunct bronx theme park features connection to quassy amusement park. In june, after 47 years of laughter and screams, the heritage square amusement park in golden, colorado had its final ride. Entering freedomland was like walking into a history book of america for both young and young at heart. And today it is an italian american, mike virgintino, who tells their story and with it the story of freedomland u.
Jun 19, 2010 as someone who went to freedomland a number of times as a kid, this book looks very interesting, and i will be looking for it. Conceived at a time when theme parks were still a new concept in the amusement park industry, freedomland u. Imagine a patriotic playland of wholesome americana, a theme park larger. Virgintino presented a brief overview of his book and opened up a discussion with the forum of italian american educators fiame at the morris park community center, 1824 bronxdale avenue.
On june 19, 1960 a shortlived, historythemed amusement park opened on what now sits coop city in the bronx. Virgintino collection for years, middlebury was the home for a remnant of the freedomland u. However, in addition to the reasons which seem accurate that are mentioned in the article, i think there were also a number of other reasons for freedomlands failure that werent mentioned, at least in the article and i say this as a chauvanistic new yorker. If you remember freedomland, tell mommy and daddy to take. The dvd freedomland americas theme park volume 2 just released. Freedomland opened on june 19, 1960, in the baychester section of the bronx, new york. Driving down gun hill road in the bronx, after a stop at the home depot or the local chinese buffet, my father would point towards the bay plaza shopping center and exclaim that used to be freedomland. A history of freedomland, usa christopher fountain. Freedomland was once a thriving allamerican amusement park built on an undeveloped marshland along i95, just northwest of the hutchinson river parkway. Freedomland ebook by robert mclaughlin 9781439623664. In the novel, freedomland referred to an abandoned amusement park which was the scene of an extensive search as well as a reference to the people being locked into their own homes.
Fifty years ago this weekend, the selfproclaimed disneyland of the east opened in the northeast bronx. New book on freedomland dives into the parks many disney. The worlds largest entertainment center, bronx, new york. We the italians mike virgintino author of freedomland u. A the definitive history, i document the history of the beloved theme park and tell all who were there, and the many others who wish they had experienced it, about freedomlands proper place on the american theme park timeline.
Alan brennert awardwinning author, alan brennert, has a new book well worth reading. Jan 05, 2020 the park and its attractions were located on 85 acres by comparison, disneyland attractions occupy 65 acres and palisades amusement park was just 30 acres, with the remaining 120 acres reserved for maintenance and parking. In researching my book, disneys dream weavers, which dealt with the common thread i felt ran between disneyland, freedomland, the 19641965 new york worlds fair and walt disney world, there were plenty of sources i could tap into for the three disneyrelated projects. Please see the descriptions of each dvd on this website. Billed as new yorks answer to disneyland, freedomland opened on june 19, 1960. Through photographs, freedomland recalls boat rides on the great lakes. Several media works commemorate the former amusement park. Its basically an americana theme park, where you can ride a paddlwheeler, ala the mark twain ride in disneyland, ride in canoes to tour wild terrain, ala the jungle cruise ride in disneyland, ride in the gondolas ala etc etc. Constructed in the shape of the united states and presenting 200 years of. Local author writes book on storied freedomland amusement park. Strange overview about a longforgotten amusement park called, for whatever reason, freedomland.
Mary jane clark if you havent read her newest book yet, you must. How walt disney envisioned and then built his california theme park is an ofttold tale, but chuck schmidt focuses on the people, the personalities, and the politics who turned walts parkbench fantasy into reality. Freedomland the gotham center for new york city history. A the definitive story the tale of americas historythemed park in the bronx. Zeckendorf announced his plans for freedomland in may 1959. The definitive history of freedomland revealed in thorough. This book is an exhaustive history of the park, from the early concepts to. Freedomland was a theme park that placed the spotlight, in an. Wood, the selfproclaimed master disneyland builder, wood went east, to. See more ideas about park, large entertainment center and new york city. Rare color photos of freedomland, nycs grandiose lost. The worlds largest entertainment center freedomland usa.
Bronx boat was popular at quassy amusement park patch. I did a short podcast on the longforgotten americathemed park back in 2009, and an original advertisement for one of the parks more unusual attractions reenactment of the chicago fire. Probably the biggest flaw for me was the titular freedomland. Amusement park tickets for sale collectibles for sale. A, we wont go any further into the political story behind the construction and closing of freedomland u. Coney islands astroland most of the coney island amusement parks dreamland, steeplechase park, luna park were closed by the 1960s, and the last remaining one continues to be at risk due to the. The park was only open for 5 seasons, but for a ny kid, the park will live forever in my memory. Athe 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. Through photographs, freedomland recalls boat rides on the great lakes, putting out a fire in chicago, dancing under the stars at the moon bowl, or taking a train ride all the way to san francisco. Information about a new dvd now available on freedomland usa, the theme park that was located in the bronx, new york. Get the best deals on freedomland amusement park when you shop. A historical and family saga set at the legendary palisades amusement park in new jersey, alan calls it a love letter to a cherished part of my childhood. Mar 14, 2019 new book about a defunct bronx theme park features connection to quassy amusement park.
It featured attractions where visitors could enjoy carnival snacks while stepping back in time to old. Freedomlands grand opening originally was scheduled for june 1, 1960. We the italians mike virgintino author of freedomland. The books name comes from the shortlived american history amusement park that was built in the shape of the united states in the early 1960s in the bronx, where coop city is now. A the definitive history the tale of americas historythemed park in the bronx. Amusement parks, bowling alleys, zoos and fairs are the latest coronavirus casualties. Just as they had done for america, many italian americans were busy designing and building the amusement park and then working there. A mustread for anyone interested in the history of the modern theme park, this book.
Freedomland amusement park in amusement park collectibles. Theme park buildings are 25 stories and freedomland lasted exactly five years. Freedomland theme park was a 60s apple slice of americana. Available now in the palisades amusement park book store. Its slogan was the worlds largest entertainment center later, the worlds largest outdoor family entertainment center. The book s locales include a place called freedomtown, a strippeddown version of the original that he says is like an imitation of an imitation of american. After the closing of freedomland, some rides were rescued by other amusement parks, including the tornado adventure, seen here at lake george, ny.
One amusing result of the airing of the piece is a resurgence of interest in freedomland usa, the 1960s amusement park in the bronx. In the novel, freedomland referred to an abandoned amusement park which was the scene of an extensive search as well as a reference to the people being locked into their own homes part of the plot which was short changed imo. Jul 30, 2014 this promotional video provides a rare glimpse at freedomland usa, new york citys shortlived and largely forgotten answer to disneyland that closed 50 years ago this summer. Mar 14, 20 one amusing result of the airing of the piece is a resurgence of interest in freedomland usa, the 1960s amusement park in the bronx. After those three parks demise, wood helped found the first six flags amusement park, six flags over texas. If you remember freedomland, tell mommy and daddy to take your hand and buy this book about freedomland. For baby boomers of a certain age, a mention of freedomland u. Ages ago, noah and his wife took their kids to the amusement park freed. Virgintino has just released the ultimate book on the legendary bronx, new york amusement park freedomland u.
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