The Packers Heritage Trail is a self-guided walking and biking heritage trail that traverses locations relating to the history of the Green Bay Packers, an American football team in the National Football League (NFL).[1] All of the 25 sites have bronze commemorative plaques that explain the history of the site and its association to the Green Bay Packers.[2] Each plaque, which has individual sponsors, is either affixed to the side of the relevant building or placed on a pole in front of the site.[3] The Trail is split into three sections: the City Walk, which includes 16 sites and the Packers Heritage Plaza generally in downtown Green Bay; the Packing Plant Spur, which includes 4 sites along Baird Creek; and the Lambeau – Lombardi Spur, which includes another 4 sites along the Fox River.[4]
The Packers Heritage Trail was developed by sportswriterCliff Christl, who would go on to become the team historian of the Packers. It was modeled after the Freedom Trail in Boston and opened in 2012.[5][6] It was originally led by the Packers Heritage Trail Foundation, Inc., which was formed by Christl and his wife Shirley. Two years later, the Heritage Trail Plaza was opened on the corner of Cherry St. and Washington St. in downtown Green Bay.[7] In 2017, the Foundation was taken over by the Packers and is now part of the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame. The Packers offer combined tickets for touring Lambeau Field, entrance to the Packers Hall of Fame and trolley tours of the Packers Heritage Trail.[8] That same year, Christl published a book covering the Trail titled Packers Heritage Trail: The Town, The Team, The Fans From Lambeau to Lombardi.[3] The Packers Heritage Plaza, which was updated and renovated in 2022, provides a larger overview history of the team with various plaques and statutes of past Packers players and coaches.[9] However, the site of the plaza has been identified for future development, which would require its relocation to another site in downtown Green Bay.[10] The city agreed to fund the removal of the plaza, while the Packers agreed to take possession of the statues, plaques and bricks that make up the landmark. The future location of the plaza is not yet decided.[11]
The City Walk portion of the Trail includes various buildings with connections to the Packers. This includes two historic train depots that the Packers utilized for away games, multiple office buildings that either the Packers utilized or key figures worked at, cultural and religious sites, and past Packers stadiums. The entirety of downtown Green Bay is identified as one of the historic sites, with the commemorative plaque located on the CityDesk, the name of Green Bay's riverfront. The Packing Plant Spur follows Baird Creek, just outside of downtown Green Bay and includes the remains of the packing plants for the Indian Packing Company, the Riverside Ballroom, and other historic playing fields. As the name implies, the Lambeau – Lombardi Spur focuses on the history of two key Packers coaches: Curly Lambeau and Vince Lombardi.[4] This spur is the only one that has sites with differences in their commemorative plaques: the plaques for Lombardi's home and Lambeau's gravesite are located a short distance from the house and the cemetery along the Fox River trail.[12][13]
Historic sites
Packers Heritage Trail historic sites
Site #
Image
Site
Address
Trail portion
Plaque location
Significance
Coordinates
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Packers Heritage Plaza
Washington St. & Cherry St.
City Walk
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The Packers Heritage Plaza is a public plaza built in Downtown Green Bay that includes statues and signs honoring the history of the Packers.[9]
Downtown Green Bay served as the site of the founding of the Packers and the team's first practice. It has been home to many notable events and served as a place for players to interact with fans.[15]
The Hotel Northland was a social gathering point in Green Bay that hosted many Packers events, including the introductory press conference for Vince Lombardi.[15]
Chicago and North Western Depot was the Packers' typical train station for leaving and returning on road trips, often accompanied by cheering fans.[15]
The Riverside Ballroom hosted banquets and other Packers events, but is more well known for hosting indoor practices for the Packers during inclement weather.[17]
The Indian and Acme Packing Plants served as the namesake of the Packers, provided financial support and employed Curly Lambeau when he founded the team.[19]
^ abcThe address provided for Curly Lambeau's Gravesite is for the Allouez Catholic Cemetery, where Lambeau is buried. However, the plaque for the Packers Heritage Trail is located a short distance from the Cemetery along the publicly-accessible Fox River Trail. The coordinates provided are for the plaque, not the gravesite.[13]
^ abcThe address provided for Vince Lombardi's Home is for the actual house where Lombardi lived. However, the plaque for the Packers Heritage Trail is located a short distance from the home along the publicly-accessible Fox River Trail near Sunset Park. The coordinates provided are for the plaque, not the house.[12]
