originally posted on 7/28/2025
Photo: Jon Roost. View full-sized image.
Since opening in 1981, American Eagle at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois, has continued to remain the world’s tallest and fastest wooden racing coaster. The plaque idea was presented to ACE’s History Committee in the fall of 2024 with historical facts from Randy Geisler, Historian Dave Hahner and the rest of the ACE History Team, showcasing American Eagle and the impact it had on the industry.
Photo: Michael Horwood. View full-sized image.
View full-sized image.
The project was approved by the ACE Executive Committee in the fall of 2024, and the team got to work immediately. The obvious choice for turning this plaque over to the park would be during Coaster Con 47, which was held June 15 to 20, 2025. The park was a pleasure to work with and surprised the audience with Bugs Bunny dressed in his Marriott's patriotic outfit as well as streamer cannons that went off during the unveiling.
ACE Historian Dave Hahner reads the text of American Eagle’s plaque at Coaster Con 47.
Photo: Jill Ryan. View full-sized image.
The park created a replica holder of the plaque on Whizzer that was presented in August 2012, along with the perfect red, white and blue color scheme. Placement for the honor to American Eagle was designated near the ride entrance and under the eagle statue that lures riders to the classic wooden coaster. With this new landmark designation, the park is now tied with Pittsburgh’s Kennywood for parks with the most ride plaques (three), as Batman The Ride was the first plaque gifted to the park during Coaster Con XXVIII in 2005.
ACE applauds Six Flags Great America for its upkeep of American Eagle as well as for preserving the history of three ACE roller coaster landmarks and for the relocation of Little Dipper from Kiddieland in Melrose Park, Illinois. Special thanks are extended to the ACE History Committee as well as to Rachel Kendziora and Cody Summers for their help in making the plaque presentation a memorable event.
— Josh Brown, ACE History and Preservation Director
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