History Of The Marshlands South Of Pelham

The marshland immediately south of Pelham has witnessed a long history. Modern development, including the New England Thruway and the Hutchinson River Parkway, has obscured much of the original topography that dates to the ice age, but remnants of the wetlands that are connected to Eastchester Bay still can be viewed within Pelham Bay Park and immediately beyond the park boundaries.

Native Americans lived, fished and hunted in the region before the arrival of Europeans. Anne Hutchinson settled in the area and she was massacred here along with many members of her family. Traces of the Split Rock Road (named for the split rock deposited by a retreating glacier) that figured prominently in a Revolutionary War battle can be located between two golf courses. A mill occupied portions of the marsh from the late 1700s until following the Civil War.

During the last century, several attempts were sponsored to convert a portion of the marshlands into a small airport. Billingsly Aviation Field opened on August 5, 1927 but failed. A second airport attempt also failed along with a post-World War II helicopter field. Years later, a cucumber farm and pickle factory occupied a section of the property that also yielded clams and blue claw crabs.

Freedomland U.S.A. Theme Park

By 1960, 205 acres were manicured to feature the Freedomland U.S.A. American history theme park. The park was conceived and built by C.V. Wood and his Marco Engineering Company. Woody, as he was known to his friends, was Disneyland's first employee and he led the team that built that park. He then created a company to build theme parks and other venues across the country. Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington and the community of Lake Havasu, Arizona, continue to prosper.

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Freedomland U.S.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. Published by Theme Park Press, it is available on Amazon at the suggested retail price of $24.95.

For a presentation about the history of Freedomland that includes vintage film, photos and memorabilia, contact Freedomlandusa@yahoo.com . Upcoming 2019 presentations: Saturday, September 7, St. Paul's Church National Historic Site in Mount Vernon; Wednesday, September 18, Greenburgh Public Library in Elmsford; Wednesday, November 20, East Bronx History Forum, Huntington Library, The Bronx.

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Much of the marshland was developed following the bankruptcy of Freedomland. The property now includes the Co-op City housing development and its adjacent shopping center.

Though Freedomland Inc. was declared a bankrupt after only five years, the popular theme park actually did not fail on its merits. The park also did not suffer from loss of business when the New York World's Fair opened for two years. Connecting the closing of Freedomland with the opening of the fair has become, over the years, an urban myth. Freedomland was navigated toward bankruptcy to permit the construction of Co-op City.

Soon after the first tenants moved into the new housing development, real estate baron William Zeckendorf, Sr., revealed that Freedomland was a "placeholder" for the land until variances permitted the construction of the apartment buildings on the marshland that he originally obtained from the family that owned Yonkers Raceway. Co-op City had been planned for the property during the late 1950s, several years before ground was prepared for the theme park.

The history and memories of Freedomland are featured on a popular Facebook page (Freedomland U.S.A. - The World's Largest Entertainment Center) and associated social media (Twitter and Instagram). The new book has received exceptional reviews for revealing the history of Freedomland and reliving the childhood memories of many baby boomers who loved the theme park.

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Mike Virgintino is the author of Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History, the story about America's theme park located in The Bronx. Published by Theme Park Press, it can be found on Amazon, eBay and Goodreads.