Freedomland Book Features Memories Of Southfield Resident

Baby boomers who enjoyed a history theme park in The Bronx more than 50 years ago continue to recall their fond memories of Freedomland U.S.A. The recollections of Mary Ann (Broome) Rosenthal, who was raised in Detroit and for many years has resided in Southfield, are among the many stories featured in a new book about the New York City park that has been published by Theme Park Press.

Freedomland U.S.A. – The Definitive History 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 at the suggested retail price of $24.95.

Freedomland U.S.A. (visit the Facebook group) was celebrated as the "Disneyland of the East." While it survived only five seasons (1960-1964) in The Bronx, to this day the park is recalled by many guests who enjoyed its American history-themed attractions. Contrary to what has become an urban legend, Freedomland's failure was not caused by the grand opening of the 1964-1965 New York World's Fair.

Lennon Sisters Fan

Besides its attractions, Freedomland featured the popular music stars of the day. For its second season, Freedomland created a performance venue in its Satellite City area, the only themed section of seven that focused on the present. While the other sections featured the history of the Civil War, Wild West gun fights and New York, Chicago and San Francisco from 1870 through the early 1900s, Satellite City replicated Cape Canaveral and the space race.

Park management decided that the contemporary area of the park was the proper location for a performance venue to feature celebrity entertainers. Appropriately named the Moon Bowl, the stage was complemented by the world's largest outdoor dance floor. Paul Anka, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Marvin Gaye, The Four Seasons and The Temptations were among the more than 150 entertainers who appeared at Freedomland.

Rosenthal's visit to the park coincided with the appearances of The Lennon Sisters, who were one of the most popular vocal groups of the time and continue to perform today. The original group consisted of four—Dianne, Peggy, Kathy and Janet—of the six sisters from a family of 11 siblings. From 1955 until 1968, the group appeared regularly on The Lawrence Welk Show. Of the sisters, Peggy, Kathy and Janet appeared at Freedomland during August 1962 and August 1963.

"My father used to bring me to a lot of their concerts,” recalled Rosenthal. “He was a Lawrence Welk fan and he knew I loved the Lennon Sisters.”

For one of the vocal group’s appearances at Freedomland, Rosenthal believes it was during 1962, she boarded a plane in Detroit by herself and met with a couple of Cleveland friends who had arrived in New York. They booked a Manhattan hotel and together ventured to The Bronx to see their favorite singers.

“We stayed for all the shows, from the first until the last,” recalled Rosenthal. “We hung out backstage and talked with them until the next show. We didn’t spend much time at the other park attractions. I had blinders on and just wanted to see and be with my favorite group.”

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, Freedomland property owner William Zeckendorf, Sr., local politicians, city planners and construction unions considered the park a "placeholder" until property variances permitted significant development on Bronx 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.

Though the park is long gone, the memories of many baby boomers remain as vivid today as when they visited the park. Mary Ann Rosenthal continues to embrace her memories about Freedomland along with the many stories about her cherished life-long friendship with The Lennon Sisters.