Lambeau Field, pronounced [lam’-bou] was the first stadium in the United States that was built exclusively for American Football according to Wisconsin Public Radio. It is the home of the Green Bay Packers.
The Packers themselves are an iconic team. They were founded by a man named Earl Lambeau, nicknamed Curly, in 1919. Their Sponsor was the Indian Packing Company. The team played against local teams for a couple of years until they joined the American Professional Football Association as the Acme Packers. The field hosted its first game on September 29, 1957. Initially there was some controversy about where to construct the iconic stadium. There was a kind of rivalry between the east and west sides of Green Bay.
Green Bay is separated, east from west, by the Fox River. In 1956 the east side faction of the city council wanted their new stadium built in the same location as the old stadium, which was behind East Highschool. The west side faction had a different location in mind on the west side of the river. The council was evenly split and could not come to an agreement. To save the day the Packers Organization hired an outside consultant, Osborn Engineering Co. from Cleveland, Ohio, a neighboring state.
After surveying several possible places to build a stadium, they chose the site where Lambeau field currently sits. Back when the property was purchased from a local farmer, Victor Vannieuwenhoven, the family did not want to leave their farm. This is why in the earliest years of Lambeau Field visitors literally parked in the field, next to a barn with chickens wandering about. Today the farm is gone, and the parking lot is paved. Lambeau field is home to the most loyal fans, and why not? They own he team.
In 1923 the struggling franchise needed to generate some money. Their solution was to file articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State in Wisconsin and sell stock to the public. They have done this a total of 5 times. Recent numbers account for 361,169 fans or shareholders, who own 5 million shares in the Green Bay Packers. The packers are the only American sports franchise with a board of directors.
Lambeau Field hosts the Packer Pro Shop, Curly’s Pub, Johnsonville Tailgate Village, and The Packer Hall of Fame. Anyone visiting Green Bay, or the surrounding area should try to catch a tour, even if they are not a fan of American Football.
Resources
https://www.wpr.org/fascinating-story-behind-choice-where-lambeau-field-was-built