Freedomland

Billed as New York's answer to Disneyland, innovative Freedomland opened on June 19, 1960.

Designed by Marco Engineering of Los Angeles for the International Recreation Corporation, Freedomland transformed a former landfill, lowlands, and farms into an exciting theme park in the shape of the United States. Through photographs, Freedomland recalls boat rides on the Great Lakes, putting out a fire in Chicago, dancing under the stars at the Moon Bowl, or taking a train ride all the way to San Francisco. Entering Freedomland was like walking into a history book of America for both young and young at heart. Open for five seasons, Freedomland gave its guests and cast members memories that have lasted a lifetime.

Robert McLaughlin has an avid interest in theme park history. He is also the author of Pleasure Island, Boston's own former Disneyland of the East. Frank R. Adamo started at Freedomland as a heavy equipment operator and moved on to management positions for the life of the park. Adamo was also in charge of dismantling Freedomland. It is Adamo's extensive photograph collection and his collective involvement with Freedomland that made this book possible.