Gurnee in Lake County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Columbia Carousel
Six Flags Great America 50
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 19, 2026
1. Columbia Carousel Marker
Erected 2026 by Six Flags Great America.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Parks & Recreational Areas • Patriots & Patriotism. A significant historical date for this entry is May 29, 1976.
Location. 42° 22.158′ N, 87° 56.115′ W. Marker is in Gurnee, Illinois, in Lake County. It can be reached from Six Flags Drive near Grand Avenue (Illinois Route 132). The marker is in front of the south side of the Columbia Carousel at Six Flags Great America. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Chicago. It is also in the American Midwest and on the Great Lakes. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Columbia (here, next to this marker); Silver Anniversary Horse (here, next to this marker); Rue Le Dodge (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Whizzer (about 400 feet away); Whizzer Roller Coaster (about 400 feet away); Batman The Ride (about 600 feet away); DC Super-Villains Swing (about 700 feet away); The Lobster (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gurnee.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Columbia (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. This is one of several historical markers erected by Six
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, June 19, 2026
2. Columbia Carousel
The marker is the lower of two in front of the carousel.
Another marker about the carousel is immediately above this one. It is a replacement of an older marker that had stood at the site prior to 2026.
Regarding Columbia Carousel. The Columbia Carousel opened about two months after its nearly identical twin opened at the Mariott's Great America park in Santa Clara, California in March 1976. This carousel is officially the second tallest in the world, as its counterpart in Santa Clara is one foot taller.
Marriott sold its Gurnee Great America in 1984 to Six Flags, while California's Great America was acquired in 2006 by Cedar Fair, the parent company of the Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio. In 2024, Cedar Fair and Great America completed an $8 billion merger into one company, bringing the two carousels under the same ownership for the first time in four decades.
Also see . . . Columbia Carousel: Two Levels of Majestic Merry-Go-Round Magic. From the Six Flags website. (Submitted on June 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)
Photographed by Sean Flynn
3. Columbia Carousel
Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 20, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on August 28, 2023, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.
