Reporters were allowed to try the new Screamin’ Eagle roller coaster at Six Flags in Eureka. At sixty-two miles per hour, it was the nation’s tallest, longest, and fastest coaster.

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.