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Gurnee, Illinois 1999 Page One For years Great America was my home park when I lived in the Chicago area. I first visited the park in 1981 with my parents. I was only 9 years old and scared to death of coasters but I was super fascinated with them and couldn't keep my eyes off them.
The American Eagle was the new coaster at the park for my first visit in 1981. It's a racing coaster with an out and back layout. It was a super rough ride from the late 1980's to 1997 but Six Flags has given it some much needed TLC and some new track work and now it's running fine. Now here's a question that has baffled me for years...what are the funky metal things coming up next to the track? If you have an idea let me know by sending me an e-mail. I've since found out that the metal things were the brackets for the brakes that used to be there back when the Eagle opened but have since removed.
Yes that's one monster of a drop! At the opening of the Eagle it held several world's records namely the tallest, fastest and longest racing coaster in the world which I believe it still holds.
Here's a shot from the top of the lift hill. You can see the speed hill laden out and back sections with the massive helix for a turnaround. Oh, by the way to the right is the Raging Bull, Great America's newest coaster. Click
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Flags Great America pages. All pictures on this site have been taken by my wife Carrie or myself. Please do not use without permission but ask and chances are I'll give it to you. Copyright 1999 - 2018
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