These pictures depict the Sky Whirl and Columbia Carousel as they were in 1976.  Notice how no one is on either ride.  The pictures were taken before the park opened to the public. When not operating, this is how maintenance "parked" the Sky Whirl.

This is an image of the park map from 1976.  Notice some missing landmarks:  The Sky Trek Tower opened in 1977 or 78, and the Pictorium at some other date (not sure).  Also, there is no Whirligig (wave swinger) and only two roller coasters, The Turn of the Century (later reconfigured and renamed "Demon") and Willard's Whizzer (later shirtened to "Whizzer").

Click on the image to see a larger version...

Brief History

Marriott's Great America officially opened to the public in late May of 1976.  The Sky Trek Tower, added in 1977 or 78, became (and remains to this day) the park's tallest structure, topping off at 315 feet.  The park's first "new" coaster attraction, The Tidal Waver (removed in fall 1991 for Batman-The Ride), was a shuttle loop Coaster, and was the tallest coaster at the time. The park's major skyline landmark, The American Eagle, opened in 1981.

In 1984, Marriott's Corp. began negotiations with Bally-owned Six Flags Theme Parks to acquire the property.  Bally's bid was secured in May when an accident on the Edge (added 1983) seriously injured three teen-aged boys.  (And no...NO ONE DIED!!!!!).  Two days later the park was renamed Six Flags Great America.  Fortunately, Six Flags has pretty much kept much of the original themeing, and the Southwest Territory, which was planned under Marriott ownership, was fully realized in 1996.  That's all I feel like writing about at this time.  It does say "Brief" at the top!!