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.

That the company sharing drone footage of its ongoing work at Six Flags Great America is called SkyHigh Coasters LLC is fitting, given the milestone depicted in the clip. On Tuesday, the crew placed

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.