The Bronx’s Failed Answer to Disneyland, Freedomland, Opened 60 Years Ago Today

On June 19, 1960 The Bronx’s premiere amusement park opened its doors in the northeast section of the borough.

Before Co-op City, the world’s largest cooperative development that over 50,000 residents call home was built, there was Freedomland.

Freedomland /Image Courtesy of Thomas X Casey

Built in the marshlands and coastal area along the Hutchinson River, Freedomland was a short lived amusement park with America as its theme.

It billed itself as the world’s largest entertainment center before changing that to world’s largest outdoor family entertainment center but regardless of what it called itself, some say it was doomed from the day it opened its doors on June 19, 1960.

From lawsuits due to accidents and conspiracy theories that it was never meant to last long and just simply serve as a test that the marshlands could sustain large structures that would pave the way for Co-op City’s construction, the park closed its doors in 1964 and demolished.

During its short life, millions of visitors enjoyed this fabled theme park now buried deep in our history and the memories of Bronxites who went there.

- Advertisement -Newspaper WordPress Theme

Latest news

Affordable Housing Lottery Launched for the South Bronx’s Tallest Building

An affordable housing lottery has been launched for the South Bronx's tallest building which is nearing completion. The luxury development called One River Park, is...

Elevators Finally Operational at 149th Street Grand Concourse Station After $123 Million Upgrade

The wait for accessibility at one of The Bronx's busiest subway stations is over. After a $123 million upgrade, elevators are up and running...

Legionnaires’ Outbreak in The Bronx Claims 1 Life, Sickens 5

Note on the image of the Bronx General Post Office: There is no indication that Legionnaires' was detected at the building, it is simply...

Affordable Housing Lottery Launched for the South Bronx’s Tallest Building

An affordable housing lottery has been launched for the South Bronx's tallest building which is nearing completion. The luxury development called One River Park, is...

Elevators Finally Operational at 149th Street Grand Concourse Station After $123 Million Upgrade

The wait for accessibility at one of The Bronx's busiest subway stations is over. After a $123 million upgrade, elevators are up and running...

Legionnaires’ Outbreak in The Bronx Claims 1 Life, Sickens 5

Note on the image of the Bronx General Post Office: There is no indication that Legionnaires' was detected at the building, it is simply...