Freedomland Book Features Memories Of West Hempstead Resident

Baby boomers who enjoyed a Bronx history theme park more than 50 years ago continue to recall their fond memories of Freedomland U.S.A. The recollections of Eveline Marcello, who was raised in Queens and for many years has resided in West Hempstead, are among the many featured stories in a new book about the Bronx 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), to this day the park is recalled by many guests who enjoyed the American history-themed attractions. Contrary to what has become an urban legend, Freedomland’s failure was not caused by 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.

Marcello's visits to Freedomland 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.

“The Lennon Sisters and I were from large families,” recalled Marcello. “I grew up in an old farmhouse in Flushing, one of the last in Queens, as the last of eight children. I was the adventurous one, and traveled across the country, often cutting school, to see Kathy and her sisters perform. I loved them from when I first heard them during 1961. I loved their sound and my connection with them helped me become a professional singer."

Marcello’s first visit to Freedomland occurred when she was just 15 years old. She returned the following year for the week-long Lennon Sisters engagement, taking the subway and recalling that a few times an older brother got her there and back home by car.

“I was in their fan club, which was located in California,” said Marcello, “and I wanted to meet them. The club arranged for me to be a reporter and to interview them at Freedomland. I met their father and enjoyed a wonderful time backstage with all of them. After answering all my questions, they told me to put my pen down, because they wanted to know all about me. I spent that entire week watching their shows and then spending time with them backstage. I was a fan who became very good friends with them, remaining friends to this day.”

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., (the same person behind the Roosevelt Field Mall), 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. Eveline Marcello continues to share her memories about Freedomland along with the many stories about her cherished friendship with The Lennon Sisters.