New Freedomland Book Features Queens Connections

Baby boomers who enjoyed a Bronx theme park more than 50 years ago continue to retain fond memories of Freedomland U.S.A. The recollections of Patrick Falci and Dr. John Tantillo, two Queens residents who were influenced by their experiences at the park, are featured in a new book 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 fondly by Falci, Tantillo and many other guests who enjoyed the American history-themed attractions. Contrary to what has become an urban legend, Freedomland’s failure was not caused by the arrival of the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair.

Civil War Attraction

Among the popular Freedomland attractions was the recreation of the Civil War, designed to coincide with the national centennial commemoration of the conflict. The attraction allowed park guests to witness the early stages of audio-automatronics as they rode on a correspondents’ wagon through the battle lines of rival armies.

Falci indicated that he was captivated by the commemoration of the war and its treatment by Freedomland.

“…my parents took me by bus 240 miles to the battlefield of Gettysburg,” recalled Falci, who lives in Rosedale. “It was the centennial of the Civil War and, as a 10-year-old, I got hooked. Closer to home, just a few miles away, was Freedomland. My parents would take me to the Civil War section over and over again. At Gettysburg, I saw the battlefield. At Freedomland, I heard the roar of the cannon and through the smoke, the gleam of the bayonet.”

Today, Falci remains active in The Civil War Round Table of New York, a 68 year old discussion group that meets monthly in Manhattan. He has served as the organization’s president on several occasions and he also is a Civil War reenactor. Falci portrays Confederate General A.P. Hill at events and meetings across the country. He portrayed the general in the 1993 film Gettysburg. He also was an historical advisor for the film and the 2003 film Gods and Generals.

Tantillo resides in Forest Hills and he also recalls the Civil War attraction at Freedomland. He grew up in Brooklyn and visited the park during a school trip.

“Sister Frances Paula made going on the Civil War ride a requirement,” said Tantillo, “and Mrs. Schreiber, our class monitor, instructed us that this was the first amusement that we had to experience in order to avoid hearing it from our beloved teacher.”

A branding and marketing consultant, Tantillo is credited with coining the term The O’Reilly Factor that became the title of Bill O’Reilly’s former television program. Known as “The Marketing Doctor,” Tantillo authored the book Go Brand Yourself and is a regular contributor to Newsmax and Political Vanguard.

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, landowner William Zeckendorf, Sr., local politicians, city planners and construction unions considered the park a “placeholder” until property variances permitted significant development on the 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.

_______

To arrange a group presentation about the history of Freedomland along with a memorabilia display, contact Freedomlandusa@yahoo.com .

_______

Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History is a 300+-page account that includes first-time interviews with park employees and never before published photographs. The book details the creative team that designed and built the park, the many different members of management, corporate sponsors, the more than three dozen attractions and the celebrity entertainers who performed at the park. Featured interviews include singers Pat Boone, Kathy Lennon of The Lennon Sisters and Bobby Rydell, television’s Sonny Fox of Wonderama and employees who were character actors, hospitality hosts and those who operated the attractions. A section of the book includes the memories of Falci, Tantillo and other baby boomers who, as kids, were in awe of the park’s fun and excitement.