Robert Freed

Robert Freed was a successful businessman and civil rights activist in Utah.  His dedication to fairness helped to make Utah a more equal place. Freed was the manager of Lagoon Amusement Park during the 1940s and 50s.

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Robert E. Freed at Lagoon resort

Freed did not like that Lagoon would not allow African Americans inside the park. He decided to work with other activists and organizations in Utah to integrate–or to make a place open and equal for all people–Lagoon. Together, Freed and other activists integrated the park! In 1963, he received the “Human Rights” award from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People for advocacy for the rights of African Americans.  He also graduated from the University of Utah, served in the military during World War II, and influenced Utah’s entertainment industry.  Freed’s work and dedication to equality made a mark on Utah’s past.

A New Manager

Lagoon Amusement Park is one of Utah’s oldest resorts. It opened in 1896 and ran until World War II, when it closed for three seasons because of the war.  After the war, Ranch S. Kimball and Robert E. Freed reopened Lagoon.  Kimball served as the president and general manager, and Freed was the secretary and assistant there. His brothers eventually joined Robert to help operate Lagoon.  The Freed family purchased the resort during the 1970s.    

Desegregating Lagoon

African Americans could not visit Lagoon or a nearby swimming pool when Freed became the assistant manager in 1947.  Robert, and later his brothers, wanted all people to enjoy the amusement park. However, the park’s owner agreed with Farmington city ordinances that banned or prevented African Americans from entering the park and the swimming pool. Freed decided to join with other Civil Rights activists to integrate the garden and the swimming pool.

The Freeds joined the Utah branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).  They worked with other members of the NAACP to get the Farmington City Ordinances changed that made it legal to prevent African Americans from enjoying Lagoon and the swimming pool. They didn’t stop integrating Lagoon!  The Freed brothers bought the Rainbow Gardens Dance Hall in Salt Lake City, which they also integrated. Freed received an honorary lifetime membership award from Utah’s NAACP organization because of his commitment to civil rights in Utah. 

An Advocate and an Activist

Freed and his brothers advocated for the rights of African Americans.  By working with other Civil Rights activists, many of them from African American communities, they challenged Utah’s discriminatory laws, ordinances, and practices.  See, you don’t have to be a part of an oppressed group to advocate for equality.  Robert Freed and his brothers worked for and with African Americans and other activists to work toward equality in Utah.

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