There’s a lot of “new” coming to Six Flags Great America in north suburban Gurnee for the 2025 season, from the record-breaking dive coaster Wrath of Rakshasa to other attractions and food and beverage options.
But an old, iconic standby remains one of the dominant features of the park’s landscape after more than 40 years, and it’s now receiving landmark status.
American Coaster Enthusiasts has announced that American Eagle, the classic wooden racing coaster that still cuts a prominent figure along Great America’s coaster skyline, will be recognized as an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark this year, in addition to Shock Wave at Six Flags over Texas.
They will join an elite group of 50 coasters across 42 parks worldwide to gain ACE Roller Coaster Landmark status, established in 2000 as a special designation for rides of historical significance, as designated by ACE.
American Eagle will also become the third coaster at Great America to gain ACE Roller Coaster Landmark status, joining Batman The Ride and Whizzer. That will make it the second park in the world to have three coasters with landmark status, joining Kennywood Park in West Mifflin, Pa. Click HERE to see the full list.
American Eagle, the first wooden roller coaster built by Intamin Amusement Rides, opened in 1981 as the tallest and fastest racing wooden coaster in the world. Upon its debut, it set records with a 147-foot drop and a top speed of 66 miles per hour.
To this this day, American Eagle remains the world’s longest double-racing wooden coaster, with 9,300 combined feet of track.
It will be recognized during Coaster Con 47, the largest annual gathering of coaster enthusiasts, which will be hosted by Great America and two other parks from June 15-20. Check the ACE website for details going forward.
