Welcome to another Coaster101 Special Feature. Today, through the incredible experiences of one of its entertainers, we will be remembering Freedomland, a U.S. history inspired theme park in New York that existed from 1960 through 1964 . I had never even heard of Freedomland until a couple of weeks ago when I read the book Theme Park by Scott Lukas (which I reviewed in an earlier post). I wanted to learn more about the park so I started to conduct some online research. This in turn lead me to www.benros.com and Rossi. Along with his wife, Ben performed in several different entertaining roles at Freedomland. He continued to work in the theme park industry after the park closed it gates for the last time.
We’d like to thank Ben for taking the time to answer our questions. First of all, for those who don’t know, could you please give a brief description of Freedomland and what it was all about?
Whereas Disneyland opened in July of 1955, at a cost of about 17 million dollars, Freedomland opened in June of 1960, at a reputed cost of about 60 million dollars. Therefore, Freedomland was the 2nd great theme park, followed by Six Flags Over Texas, which was a somewhat smaller venue that came along in August of 1961. What made Freedomland unique was that it was – and still remains – the only theme park in the United States which paid tribute to our country’s storied history. The park itself was located on about 210 acres, in the Bronx, and when viewed from the air, one could see that the layout was in the shape of the United States. It had a Little Ole New York Section, Chicago, New Orleans, Santa Fe and San Francisco, including China Town, as well as the Northwest Region. It also had a unique and a very futuristic area for its time, called Satellite City. That was where the big name entertainers would perform in an area known as “The Moon Bowl”. There were many other themed areas including Ft. Cavalry and even The Great Lakes, with two large sternwheelers – The American and The Canadian.
Freedomland Bird's Eye View
Disney actually had plans for a U.S. history based park in Virginia called Disney’s America that were eventually scrapped, maybe in part due to Freedomland’s failure? In any case, how did you become employed at Freedomland?
I joined Freedomland, in 1961, its 2nd year of operation, as part of a large spectacular known as Colossus. Having just been married in January of that year, we were fortunate because my wife also landed the role of Lady Guinevere in a medieval jousting section of the same show. The production took place in what was known as The Hollywood Arena, where historical world events would unfold, such as Roman gladiator battles and chariot races, featuring four-abreast teams of horses. Within the show, I was part of a sequence known as The Greatest Horsemen of History, portraying The American Cowboy. Others great horseman that were represented included Russian Cossacks, Argentine Gauchos and about a half dozen others from all around the world. The show was produced by Sandy Howard, known earlier in his career as the producer of many Tarzan films, as well as the highly-acclaimed motion picture, “A Man Called Horse”, starring Richard Harris. Colossus also featured a live orchestra, a cast of about 25, as well as a couple of dozen horses. The show was performed four times per day, seven days per week, throughout the summer months.
Benny Rossi & Jack Meli In 1961 "Colossus" Spectacular
Sounds like quite the production! What were your specific role and responsibilities?
Well, in Colossus, I represented the American Cowboy, because I was a professional trick rider and trick roper. However, I also took on other stunt roles in the show as well, including that of a Roman gladiator. Therefore, I would perform trick riding and trick roping as the American Cowboy, and also perform as a stuntman in various other parts of the production. When the season ended at Freedomland, in 1961, there were no plans for Colossus to return in 1962, so neither did we. Instead, my wife and I decided to explore Hollywood, California for a while. However, as spring neared in 1963, I was contacted by Art Moss, who was a swell guy and whose title I remember as Director of Public Relations, Promotions and Shows. At that time, Mr. Moss made an offer to me, along with my palomino horse Navajo, to return to the park the following season, but this time in the role of the Official Marshal of Freedomland. Weeks later, I met Mr. Moss at the Beverly Wilshire hotel, and there signed contracts for the 1963 season. I continued in the role of Freedomland Marshal until the theme park completed its fifth and final season, in the fall of 1964.
Wow, that must have been extremely exciting and quite an honor to be named the Official Marshal of Freedomland. Describe your typical day as a performer.
The day would usually begin by arriving at the park at about 11:30 am, picking up fresh and clean wardrobe, then heading to the dressing areas. The show times varied slightly throughout the summer, but during the main season, the first performance would begin at about 1:00 pm, and the last one concluded around 8:00 pm. However, there were not really many typical days, because the show was very action-oriented and therefore had lots of dangerous stunts. As a consequence, being hauled off in an ambulance was a common occurrence. There were random (but usually not serious) sword wounds, twisted ankles, injuries from jousting poles, or from falling off horses. The most dramatic and unfortunate event that I can remember was in our large horse drill, which concluded with four horses turning and running from each end of the arena at a full gallop toward each other, then passing through in a kind of weave. This was a very precise maneuver and one day I took a fall out of a shoulder stand, while in the previous trick riding sequence. Since neither my horse nor I were any longer in the sequence, there were only seven horses left, four from one end and three from the other. Apparently, the remaining horsemen were confused by the lack of the one horse and, consequently, two horses collided head-on, resulting in the deaths of both, but thankfully, lesser injuries to the two riders. There were several other accidents that rivaled that one, but it stands out mostly, because the performance had to be discontinued prematurely, at that point.
Freedomland definitely sounds like one exciting place! It just amazes me, the show you performed in sounds very dangerous, something I don’t think you would ever see at a theme park in this day and age with all of their rules and safety regulations. What is your favorite or best memory of the park?
There are two; first, when I drove from Philadelphia to New York City with my horse in tow, I had no idea of the size and scope of Freedomland. What I guess I was expecting was just an old “iron type” amusement park. Instead, I drove into the most magnificent place I had ever seen. To get to the stables, a security guard (there were about 200) escorted me and my horse through the not-yet-open park, by way of Old Chicago, Little Ole New York, New Orleans and Santa Fe. At 21 years of age, I was very impressed and delighted beyond belief. My second favorite memory is simply everything about the park, including all my experiences there. I loved interacting with the visitors, and just being part of such a magnificent venture and adventure. I was able to see many well known stars of the day in the Moon Bowl, such as Paul Anka, Wayne Newton, Lionel Hampton and Ray Anthony, as well as unknowns such as Marvin Gay and Deon Warwick. Obviously, for me, Freedomland felt much less like a work place than it did a grownup’s playground.
Did you get any perks as an employee, such as riding a ride before it opened to the general public?
Yes, that definitely was one of the benefits of being an employee at Freedomland. We also received discounts at all the restaurants. My wife and I enjoyed all of them a great deal, but our favorite seemed to have been The Brass Rail, a great steakhouse in the Chicago area, very near to the Chicago fire attraction. I think, at that time, we paid about $5.00 for a steak dinner, with all the trimmings.
Besides performing, were you able to experience any of the other attractions and if so what was your favorite?
Yes, in fact we routinely rode the rides, when we were not working. We had several favorites, among them the Santa Fe Mine Cavern, The Tornado, The Earthquake, The Buccaneer in the New Orleans area and of course the fabulous Ore Bucket Ride, which, to my knowledge, was the only one of its kind ever to have existed (because it had huge horizontal arms coming off the vertical towers, allowing buckets to go in two directions on each side at the same time, thereby doubling the capacity of other similar rides.)
Buccaneers Place - Pirate's Adventure
This concludes Part 1 of our Remembering Freedomland series. Stay tuned for part 2 in which we will discuss the controversial closing of this historic theme park!
Ben and his wife.
What an interesting article! I had no idea this park existed… thanks for writing this!
I remember Freedomland quite well. I spent many a summer day and night there with my friends and my family. I always had a great time there and I loved the Teenage section, where adults were only admitted if they had a teenager in their group. I remember seeing Clay Cole, a DJ, and singer Bobby Rydell.
Great article. My understanding about why this park closed was due to the New York World’s Fair. Don’t know if that is true or not.
Thanks for reading! Be sure to read part 2: http://www.coaster101.com/2010/06/09/remembering-freedomland-part-2/
Maybe you know or someone you know. Can answer this question about FreedomLand. I seem to remember my mother wearing a blouse and skirt that was multi colored and had freedomland written on it different places. Did such a clothing item exist. Or am I remembering it wrong.?