Today’s image is a shot of City Stadium construction efforts underway in November of 1956. According to the book “Lambeau Field: Green Bay’s National Treasure:” “City of Green Bay workers are using graders to begin shaping the bowl for the new stadium. This photo looks North toward Highland Avenue (now Lombardi Avenue). The West side of the stadium was built into the hillside along Ridge Road.”
“The surveying for the new facility had begun on October 11, 1956. The city had purchased 48 acres of farmland from Victor and Florence Vannieuwenhoven for $73,305 and annexed it to the city. By the end of the year, the city approved plans for the new stadium submitted by John Sommerville, a local architect. George M. Hougard & Sons were hired as the general contractor. Despite sometimes uncooperative weather and brief strikes by carpenters and plumbers, the new City Stadium was ready for use for the 1957 season opener against the Chicago Bears on September 29, 1957.”
This year will mark the 50th anniversary of Lambeau Field.
