Travel Time: Freedomland 1963

"Freedomland U.S.A. (usually just called Freedomland) was a short-lived, themed amusement park in the Baychester area in the northeastern part of the Borough of The Bronx, New York City. Its slogan was "The World's Largest Entertainment Center" (later, "The World's Largest Outdoor Family Entertainment Center").

Freedomland opened on June 19, 1960. It closed at the end of the 1964 season when it failed to make a profit."

-Wikipedia

The former site of Freedomland is currently the gargantuan Co-op City and the Bay Plaza Shopping Center.


See more at:
http://www.weirdovideo.com

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• 1960's
• Advertisement
• Disney
• Americana
• architecture
• authentic
• Carnies
• carnival
• cheesy
• commercial
• Coney
• Island

[jspinosa50]

I lived up the hill from fredomland. Eastchester road. We didn't have a $1.50 to get in so we sneaked in every day during the summer 1963. We never got caught.We had it down so good we made a path through the weeds. first time we ever saw Marvin Gay, 4 Seasons, cousin Bruce from WABC 77. When The Bronx was The Bronx

[SatchmoSings]

The big mistake was that Freedomland was opened at the same time as the 1954-65 World's Fair.

It was designed by the same man that basically did Disneyland.

It was a great idea but it shouldn't have opened until after the Fair was closed.

[teenonator]

I lived near Seattle, and I had a Freedomland record. Had no idea where it was, but can still sing bits of the "Johnny Freedom" and "Alexander Graham Bell" songs.

Wasn't it that Krushchev wanted to go to Disneyland, but they'd only allow him to go to Freedomland?

[loriannaprays]

The creator of this theme park use to work for Disney in park design. After a falling out he moved to NY and built it.

[LODGE4444]

I saw my first rock concert at Freedomland - The Four Seasons - I begged my parents to take me there when I found out about them playing there - they were my favorite group at the time ( and then The Beatles came along...)

[jdough789]

@sgkolodny1

IMPOSSIBLE. DISNEYLAND OPENED IN 1955. FREEDOMLAND OPENED IN 1960. HOWEVER, THE MAN WHO HELPED DESIGN DISNEYLAND, CORNELIUS WOOD, BUILT FREEDOMLAND

[sgkolodny1]

Actually -- Walt Disney visited Freedomland and modeled his park after this one. Disney's advantage was year 'round good weather.

[KAIJUG]

I went there with my father a couple of times. Saw Clay Cole and Zacherly...had a great time but it was a Disneyland imitation.

[thehoundboys]

this is just a cheap nock off of disneyland

[EMCEMITCH]

little eva sang the locomotion live there---i coulda sworn she waslooking at me when she was singin

[Cuidichn]

@carolstothart

yes it's because Freedomland was basically a rip off of the Disneyland concept., down to details.

It is too bad though that it did not survive.

[zeuqzavaj]

i remember the 3 stooges looked wizend and tired. no sound effects to their routine. got a chuck McCaan autograph. years later Disneyland looked miniscule in comparison. on liberty we drove back next week down the road from it, we thought we'd visit Knott's Berry Farm their local competition. recognising marines they wouldn't let us in. we were so indignant we discussed payback. '68 vintage usmc fairly unforgiving.