Photo: Rich Koppelman

American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) recognizes Great American Scream Machine at Six Flags Over Georgia as an ACE Roller Coaster Landmark, a designation reserved for rides of historic significance.

Two years after Six Flags Over Georgia opened to the public on June 16, 1967, new park manager Errol McKoy envisioned a Coney Island-style addition to the park, including a large wooden coaster and a parachute drop ride. However, his concepts did not come to fruition immediately owing to other corporate ideas for the park at the time. Following a change of Six Flags ownership in the early 1970s, McKoy resurrected his dream and proceeded with building a large wooden coaster to anchor the newest expansion section of the park, Cotton States Exposition. The new area, featuring a turn-of-the-century Georgia fairgrounds theme, opened March 31, 1973.

Noted coaster designer John C. Allen (1907-1979) of the Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC) drafted a beautiful 105-foot-tall, 3,800-foot-long L-shaped out-and-back creation along and over a picturesque lakefront setting. Allen was assisted by structural engineer William L. Cobb (1917-1990) and consultant Don Rosser in the design. Construction was headed by Robert Cowen and PTC's James L. Martz. Featuring a top speed of 57 mph, Great American Scream Machine provides a beautiful patriotic backdrop to the area with its extensive white structure, blue handrails and red track bed. Two PTC-built trains, painted to resemble an American flag, carry out the theme.

ACE applauds Six Flags Over Georgia for its continued preservation of Great American Scream Machine, the first wooden coaster to be built in a Six Flags theme park.

Presented by American Coaster Enthusiasts
During the 2017 ACE Preservation Conference
May 21, 2017