Packers Heritage Trail - Birthplace Of The Packers - Signs of History on Waymarking.com

The Packers Heritage Trail was designed as a self-guided walking tour that weaves two compelling stories. One is about the rich, colorful and improbable history of the storied Green Bay Packers. The other is about the people of Green Bay and how their undying devotion to their beloved football team pulled it through years of financial struggle and ensured its survival.

The Green Bay Packers were organized on Aug. 11, 1919, in the old Green Bay Press-Gazette building that stood here at 315 Cherry Street. The meeting took place in the editorial department on the second floor.

Two days later, the paper briefly mentioned the meeting in a story headlined: "Indian Packing Plant Squad To Represent City." It was noted that the packing company would supply uniforms, and the team would play its games at Hagemeister Park. On Aug. 14, a second meeting was held here and Curly Lambeau was elected captain. The next days Press-Gazette referred to the team as the "Packers" for the first time.

Lambeau and George Whitney Calhoun called the initial meeting. Lambeau, a former football star at Green Bay East High School, was 21 years old and working at the packing plant. Calhoun was 28 and a member of the paper's editorial staff.

The building in which the Packers were organized opened in 1871 as Crikelair's Opera House. When it was razed in 1948, it was owned by the YWCA and last occupied by Jones Signs. Along with being home to at least three different newspapers over its lifetime, it also served as a cigar factory, an ice cream parlor, a laundry and a flophouse. The Press-Gazette was founded June 29, 1915.

Sponsored by:
Associated Bank
"The First Bank Of The Packers"

Group that erected the marker: The Packers Heritage Trail Foundation, Inc. URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: [Web Link] Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary: 200 N. Adams St. Green Bay, Wi

Visit Instructions:
Take a picture of the marker, preferably including yourself or your GPSr in the photo. A very detailed description of your visit may be substituted for a photo. In any case please provide a description of your visit. A description of only "Visited" or "Saw it while on vacation" by anyone other than the person creating the waymark may be deleted by the waymark owner or the category officers.

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Date Logged Log   02/19/2013 peach107 visited it