The History of Six Flags Great America

1 DAY UNTIL SIX FLAGS GREAT AMERICA OPENS!!!!!

Because Six Flags Great America opens tomorrow, today I am going to fill you in on the history of the park. I am going to show you pictures of it 'back in the day' and tell you some amazing facts about it.

Construction: Six Flags Great America was first built in 1974 and opened on May 29th, 1976 by Marriott Corporation, and was known as Marriott's Great America until bought and renamed by Six Flags Great America in 1984.

Coasters: Only 3 roller coasters existed before Six Flags bought the park. These were Willard's Whizzer (renamed The Whizzer), The Turn Of The Century (now re-themed and renamed the Demon), and the Tidal Wave (replaced in 1992 by Batman:The Ride).

a few old and still-running rides from Marriott: Great Americas main attraction-The double decker Columbia Carousel, Rue De Lodge Bumper cars, White Water Rampage (now known as Roaring Rapids), The Orbit, and The Sky Trek Tower.




1977- The Sky Trek Tower was installed being the tallest free standing structure in Lake County Illinois. 1979- The Pictorium, an IMAX theatre, was added to Great America. 1981- The American Eagle was built and introduced as the tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster.

1984- Marriott sold Great America to the Six Flags company, then owned by Bally Manufacturing. The new era did not start out well because of failures on popular rides.

1985- Six Flags Great America cleaned up their act and installed new rides like Splash Water Falls, which closed in 2007.

1987- Bally Manufacturing sold Six Flags to the Wesray Capital Corporation and a group of Six Flags managers. This era was a successful era of new attractions and coasters. The workers uniforms were changed to be more comfortable for the weather, and fast food areas were added.

1990- The first stand-up coaster at Six Flags Great America called the Iron Wolf was introduced and is still running today.

1991- The Condor, a high-flying, spinning ride in which you sit in cars that look like birds was introduced. Six Flags was very close to bankruptcy in 1991.

1992- Six Flags was brought out of bankruptcy by being completely purchased by the Warner Brothers Company, who brought many changes to the park and created a Loony Toon's character theme. -- Batman: The Ride was built.


1994- Space Shuttle America, a motion stimulator ride, was created and successful in this year until it was taken down in late 2009.

1995- The Viper, a metal coaster structured similar to the American Eagle was built. It still exists and works efficiently today.

1996- Southwest Territory was created and featured rides like Chubasco (spinning teacups), The River Rocker, and the Ricochet.

1997- The Giant Drop and Dare Devil Dive (bungee jumping) were added to the park. The American Eagle broke down in this year, sending several people to the hospital, but reopened in time for Fright Fest in October 1997.

1998: Premier Parks purchased Six Flags to be the parent company of Six Flags. Camp Cartoon Network was opened featuring rides themed after the Flintstones and a successful childrens coaster called Spaceleys Sproket Rocket. (my personal favorite as a child!!!!!!!!!!!!)

1999- the favorite of most coaster-riders The Raging Bull was opened and changed the Great America skyline, as well as raised the parks popularity.

2001- The exciting and still existing coaster V2 (Vertical Velocity) opened, as well as Deja Vu, which had unfortunate circumstances and possible lawsuits and was removed in 2008.

2003- Superman: The Ultimate Flight soared into Six Flags, becoming a unique favorite to the public.

2004- Mardi Gras area opened featuring a coaster called the Rajun Cajun, a swinging topspin model called King Chaos, and a few rides for younger children. There was also a frisbee ride added to the park called Revolution, and Batman: The Ride was repainted from plain black to yellow and dark purple.

2005- Six Flags Great America built an outdoor water park in the theme park called Hurricane Harbor. The water park features a wave pool, a lazy river, many water slides and rides, shops, and cafes.

Late 2005- The company Shapiro took Six Flags Great America out of Priemier Parks hands. Shapiro made Six Flags a much more family friendly environment and are the current owners.

2006- The Triple Play was dismantled for the season because Six Flags over Texas needed a part of the ride. The ride did open for the 2007 season and is still running. Also in 2006, The Six Flags advertisement sign that has ran on I94 since 1975 was replaced with a new LED sign that still uses the same post.

2007- It was announced that the tent area for the American Eagle would be converted into a new area called Wiggles World, featuring rides and games themed after the popular children's show The WIggles. Also in this year, The Trailblazer ride in Southwest Territory was removed, Splash Water Falls was shut down and removed later in 2008, and Space Shuttle America was shut down and removed. Where Space Shuttle America once stood, there was a sign that read "Future Sight For New Attraction."

2008: The indoor coaster The Dark Knight was opened next to Superman: The Ultimate Flight. The coaster includes Batman and Joker scenery and a preshow that has Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent. Also in 2008, more restaurants were added, The Raging Bull was repainted the same colors, and $1 lockers were added to popular rides.

2009: A new water ride, The Buccaneer Battle was introduced in the former site of the Deja Vu. It consists of 14 eight person boats in which you squirt water on others and water falls on you. At the end you are absolutely SOAKED! Also in 2009, signs for The Raging Bull, Roaring Rapids, and the Hometown Fun Machine were re created in hopes to make the rides more popular.

Now that you know about the history, here's whats happening this year!

2010: A new parade called Glow In The Park will be introduced. The Kiddieland coaster called The Little Dipper will be ready to ride on Memorial Day. This is the first season that the park will be without Space Shuttle America and there may be a new ride that will be introduced soon because the sign from 2007 still remains. There is a ride called Chang in storage, and they are still deciding if it will be open for the 2011 season.

Hope to see you at Great America TOMORROW!!!