Winter Haven Resident Recalls Freedomland U.S.A.

Many New Yorkers, including Winter Haven resident John Gilson, have transplanted to Florida over the years. While most have made the full-time adjustment, others are just snowbirds who enjoy the sun rather than the snow during winter months but fly north for summer.

During the early 1960s, land developers considered moving a Bronx theme park to Florida. When that idea finally was nixed, Freedomland U.S.A. folded and its various attractions were sold to parks in upstate New York, Ohio, New Hampshire, Pirates World in Dania and other locations.

Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History is a new book that documents the entire story, including the potential move to Florida, 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. The book also is found on eBay, Goodreads and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Theme Park Press, the world's leading independent publisher of books about the Disney company and its history, its films and animation, and its theme parks, the 300+-page tale includes first-time interviews with park employees and never before published photographs.

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Photo: The cover of Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History with an insert of a park publicity photo of one of the steam engines enjoyed by John Gilson. Courtesy Michael R. Virgintino Collection

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Located in The Bronx on land occupied for the last 50 years by the Co-op City housing development along with its neighboring shopping center, Freedomland U.S.A. was celebrated as the “Disneyland of the East” before Walt Disney set his eyes on Orlando. Freedomland survived just five seasons (1960-1964), yet many of the baby boomers now in Florida and elsewhere around the country retain fond memories of its American history-themed attractions.

From Disney To Other Parks

Freedomland U.S.A. was conceived and built by C.V. Wood. 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 (Magic Mountain in Colorado, Pleasure Island in Massachusetts, Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, Freedomland and more) and other venues, including the community of Lake Havasu, Arizona.

Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History provides the personal stories of park employees through interviews with character actors who portrayed gunslinger Billy the Kid and cowgirl star Annie Oakley (both former New Yorkers), hospitality hosts, restaurant staff and parking attendants, and those who operated some of the attractions. A chapter of the book includes memories from many who enjoyed the park’s attractions, fun and excitement.

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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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Gilson enjoyed Freedomland when he lived in New York as a youngster. He first visited the park during its opening season just prior to his eighth birthday.

“So much of my life has been shaped by Freedomland” said Gilson in the new book. “To me it will always be so dear to my heart. I’ve always loved trains…seeing a real steam train up at the station was so fantastic and I could hardly wait to go for a ride on board.”

A conductor brought Gilson to the locomotive and the fireman showed him the fire in the boiler.

“I remember wishing that someday I might become a steam locomotive engineer,” said Gilson. “So many years later (1988), I would become one for the Walt Disney World Railroad.”

Gilson’s knowledge about trains has been helpful to the author of the book, who also is the administrator of the Freedomland Facebook group, as documentation has been debated about the two park engines. The trains were on loan to Freedomland each season from the Edaville Railroad, a heritage railroad at the time located in South Carver, Massachusetts. One engine dates from 1914 and the other from 1918. Today, both engines are housed in separate train museums in Maine.

New York Remnants

Back in New York, a plaque honoring the park was dedicated five years ago on the site of Freedomland. It is surrounded by the high-rise apartment buildings and the shopping center that replaced the history-themed attractions that once brought American history to life for millions of children and adults.

Since the day Freedomland closed, a rumor involving another local entertainment venue has lingered all this time in New York and wherever New Yorkers have established new roots. But the book, when addressing the demise of the park, puts to rest what became an urban myth—the closing of Freedomland U.S.A. had nothing to do with the arrival of the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair.