The American Eagle is made of Douglas fir trees and was painted by hand, Six Flags said. Construction began in June 1980, and there were rumors about what the park — then Marriott's Great America — was constructing until it opened in October of the same year, Six Flags said.

GURNEE, Ill. - The famed American Eagle roller coaster at Six Flags Great America in north suburban Gurnee will be recognized as landmark at a roller coaster convention later this year.