The famous carousels at Great America in Gurnee.
Daily Herald photo 1976
Since it opened on May 29, 1976, Great America has been a destination for thrill seekers from not only from the Chicago area but from around the world. The park originally opened as Marriott's Great America and was sold to Six Flags in 1984.
The original park consisted of six themed areas, called Carousel Plaza, Hometown Square, The Great Midwest Livestock Exposition at County Fair, Yankee Harbor and French Quarter. Themed areas had their own uniquely designed buildings and costumed staff to match each theme.
The American Eagle is the world's tallest and fastest racing wooden coaster and is still an attraction for roller coaster enthusiasts since its opening in 1981.
Rides have come and gone over the past 40 years, but some classics still remain such as the carousel and Demon (originally called Turn of the Century).
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An aerial of Great America in Gurnee.
Daily Herald photo 1998
The "Roto" at Great America in Gurnee.
Daily Herald photo 1970s
The main entrance to Great America
Daily Herald photo 1984
The American Eagle roller coaster was the world's largest wooden roller coaster at the time.
Daily Herald photo 1984
The Demon roller coaster at Great America in Gurnee.
Gilbert Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com 1993
If you grew up in the Chicago area, you most likely have seen this sign on your way north to Wisconsin on I-94.
Daily Herald photo 1991
The famous carousels at Great America in Gurnee.
Great America photo 1996
Great America's Shock Wave roller coaster.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com 1994
The Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain rides the Raging Bull roller coaster at Great America in Gurnee.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com 1999
The famous carousels at Great America in Gurnee during the winter are a pretty site.
Daily Herald photo 1977
The Roller Coaster Club of Great Britain rides the Raging Bull roller coaster at Great America in Gurnee.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com 1999
A night photograph of the spinning "Zipper" at Great America in Gurnee.
Daily Herald photo 1977
Looney Toon characters perform in the "What's Up Rock" show at Great America in Gurnee.
Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com 1997
Riders are silhouetted as they take a turn on a spinning antigravity ride at Great America in Gurnee.
Daily Herald photo 1976
The Demon roller coaster loop at Great America in Gurnee.
Daily Herald photo 1993
The Lobster ride at Great America in Gurnee.
Daily Herald photo 1970s
The loop of the Tidal Wave roller coaster at Great America in Gurnee.
Daily Herald photo 1984
The outdoor cafe at Great America in Gurnee.
Daily Herald photo 1976
The "Roto" at Great America in Gurnee.
Daily Herald photo 1977
The Space Shuttle exhibit at Great America in Gurnee.
Daily Herald photo 1994
An aerial of the American Eagle at Great America in Gurnee.
Daily Herald photo 1998
In 1997, about 200 couples were married at the base of the new Giant Drop ride. After they were married, they gave the new ride a try.
Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com 1997
You know Halloween is just around the corner when the giant spider appears on the American Eagle for the park's annual Fright Fest.
Daily Herald photo 1996