In 1919, Curly Lambeau, a shipping clerk at the Indian Meatpacking Co., founded the Green Bay Packers and served as a player, coach and team executive for more than 30 years. His legacy endures, and the team’s 1960s “Titletown” squads, coached by Vince Lombardi and led on the field by Bart Starr, Forrest Gregg and many others, earned the team three NFL titles and two Super Bowl championships. As the smallest city with an NFL team, and its almost century-long history, Green Bay’s citizens, who own the Packers, enjoy an especially cozy relationship with the team.
Cliff Christl, a longtime sports reporter with the Green Bay Press-Gazette and Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel who now serves as the team historian, spearheaded the idea of the Packers Heritage Trail, a self-guided tour that commemorates the team’s history from its early-1920s entry into the NFL through 1968, when the team won its second Super Bowl. The Heritage Trail features 22 signs that identify such local landmarks as the house where Coach Lombardi lived and the site of the Packers’ first playing field, among others.
“I’ve done exhaustive research of Packers history, and I’ve learned about the many ties between the Packers and the community,” he said. “I thought the Trail would be a great way to celebrate the team’s history while helping attract additional tourists to come to the city for the Packers’ training camp or games.”
Christl developed the Heritage Trail concept and approached local banker and fellow Heritage Trail Foundation board member Scott King about raising funds for it. King approached John Mortensen, president of Jones Sign Co. (DePere, WI), about developing the design and production specs for the markers.
“I was amazed at how quickly they raised $250,000 to fund the project,” he said. “This will not only pay for the signs, but also for maintenance well into the future.”
Mortensen continued, “The project was also interesting because we progressed through countless design iterations and copy revision to create just the right image and message. The Packers are a vital part of this region, and we wanted them just right.”
The signs, which measure approximately 40 x 42 in., comprise cast bronze; Jones Sign subbed out their production to Matthews Bronze (Pittsburgh). Seven were wall-mounted; the remaining 15 were post-mounted. All stand 6 ft. 10 in. above grade at their peaks. Mortensen quipped, “They’ll be here long after we’re all gone.”
He added, “The Packers weren’t directly involved, but they lent considerable influence in obtaining permits and copyright permissions.”