Packers History

1956
From Farmland to Lambeau Field

How a Green Bay Farm Became the Home of the Packers
Today, Lambeau Field sits in the middle of one of the most recognizable sports districts in America. In 1956, however, the land selected for the Packers' new stadium looked very different.

It was farmland on the outskirts of Green Bay.
The Packers had played at the original City Stadium behind Green Bay East High School since 1925, but by the 1950s the NFL was outgrowing the small facility. With the Packers also playing games at the much larger Milwaukee County Stadium, Green Bay needed a modern stadium if it hoped to secure the team's future in the city.

Green Bay voters responded on April 3, 1956, approving a $960,000 bond issue to build a new stadium.

A Stadium in the Farm Fields
After considering numerous locations, officials selected property near Highland Avenue and Ridge Road on Green Bay's West Side. Highland Avenue would later become Lombardi Avenue.

At the time, this wasn't the heavily developed neighborhood Packers fans know today. The area consisted largely of farms, pastures, barns and open fields.

Much of the stadium property came from land owned by local farmer Victor V. Vannieuwenhoven and his family. The family's farm became part of the site chosen for the new City Stadium.

The transformation happened remarkably quickly. Fences came down,cows were moved, surveying crews arrived and heavy equipment began turning the former agricultural land into a football stadium.

Even as construction progressed, reminders of the property's farming past remained nearby. Photographs from the period show farm buildings and open countryside surrounding the new stadium—a striking contrast to today's Lambeau Field neighborhood.

Building City Stadium
Construction moved rapidly through 1957.
The new stadium was built as a bowl, with much of the lower seating area excavated into the ground. When completed, City Stadium held 32,154 spectators.

On September 29, 1957, the Packers officially opened their new home against the Chicago Bears. Green Bay won, 21-17.

Just a few years earlier, cows and crops had occupied much of the surrounding landscape. Now thousands of Packers fans were filling a professional football stadium.

From City Stadium to Lambeau Field
Two years after the stadium opened, Vince Lombardi arrived in Green Bay and transformed the Packers into the dominant team of the 1960s.

Following the death of Packers founder Curly Lambeau in 1965, City Stadium was renamed Lambeau Field in his honor.
The stadium and the neighborhood surrounding it continued to grow, gradually replacing the rural landscape that had existed when the site was selected.

That's what makes early photographs of Lambeau Field so fascinating. Look beyond the football stadium and you can see what was there first—Wisconsin farmland.

Before Lombardi Avenue, before the championships, before the enormous crowds and before Lambeau Field became an international football landmark, there was simply a farm on the edge of Green Bay.

That farmland became the permanent home of the Green Bay Packers.

The Green Bay Packers have claimed undrafted rookie defensive end Arden Walker off waivers from the Minnesota Vikings.

Next Steps for Walker is report to Green Bay: He must arrive at the team facilities immediately. Pass a Physical: He cannot officially join practice until he clears medical testing.

Jersey Number Status - Old Number: He wore No. 56 during his brief time with the Vikings.

College Number: He wore No. 53 during his collegiate career at Colorado.

Packers Number: No. 56 is currently unavailable in Green Bay, leaving his new assignment pending.

Tactical Tuesday - The Storyteller

It didn't start with a Super Bowl. It started with an overhead projector.

A 43-year-old offensive coordinator from San Francisco walks into a dark meeting room in Green Bay and tells a 4-12 team how it's going to be done from now on.

No more losing. No more excuses. Just work.

Mike Holmgren didn't just bring the West Coast offense to Green Bay. He brought accountability. And the guys in those chairs - including a young kid from Mississippi with a rocket arm - bought in.

The rest is history.

What do you remember about the start of the Holmgren era?

Fri., Aug. 21 at Denver Broncos 8 p.m. Packers TV Network

The Packers take a trip out west for the second contest as they travel to Colorado to take on the Denver Broncos. Green Bay last played the Broncos in the preseason in 2024. This will be the 12th meeting between the two teams in the preseason and the fourth straight time the game is being played in Denver.

🏈 BART STARR’S 25 YEARS IN GREEN BAY

From the 1981 Green Bay Packers Yearbook comes this great look back at Bart Starr’s first 25 years with the Green Bay Packers.

Long before No. 15 became synonymous with Starr, he arrived in Green Bay in July 1956 and was initially assigned No. 42.

Starr recalled that first number with a little humor. When equipment manager Dan Braisher gave him No. 42, the young quarterback wondered what it meant for his future with the team.

“There’s no way they think I’m going to be around very long, with a number like that.”

As it turned out, Starr would be around Green Bay for a very long time.

He played 16 seasons with the Packers, developed into one of professional football’s greatest quarterbacks and helped lead Green Bay to five NFL championships in seven years, including victories in Super Bowls I and II.

By the time this feature appeared in the 1981 Green Bay Packers Yearbook, Starr’s connection to Green Bay had reached the 25-year mark — from an uncertain rookie wearing No. 42 to a championship quarterback, Packers legend and head coach.

📸 The photograph shows Bart Starr wearing No. 42 when he first reported to the Packers in July 1956.

A fascinating piece of Packers history — and a reminder that before there was the legendary No. 15, there was No. 42.

Source: 1981 Green Bay Packers Yearbook

September 11, 1995
Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre connected with wide receiver Robert Brooks for an iconic 99-yard touchdown pass against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football at Soldier Field.

Game Context and Play Details - The Situation: Facing a 3rd-and-10 deep in their own territory, the Packers were backed up to their own 1-yard line while holding a 14-0 lead in the second quarter.The Ex*****on: Favre faked a handoff and executed a crucial pump-fake that froze Bears cornerback Donnell Woolford. Favre then launched a deep pass downfield from his own end zone.

The Finish: Brooks caught the ball around the 32-yard line, spun past the defender, and sprinted down the sideline to complete the 99-yard score.

Historical Significance - NFL Record: The play tied the NFL record for the longest possible offensive play from scrimmage.

Packers Franchise Milestone: - It stands as the longest passing touchdown and longest play from scrimmage in Green Bay Packers history.Game Outcome: The historic play extended Green Bay's lead to 21-0, helping them secure a tight 27-24 victory over their rivals.