For the History Buffs
In addition to being home to Wisconsin’s first NFL Draft, Milwaukee has a sports lineage that features pro football fun facts (and places) aplenty! Consider the following as part of your trip itinerary:
The day after Wisconsin’s first NFL Draft – December 10, 1939 – the NFL championship game was played at Wisconsin State Fair Park. In a game known as “The Dairy Bowl”, the Green Bay Packers defeated the New York Giants, 27-0, to take home the title. That very field still stands and is programmed today within the infield of the Milwaukee Mile race track on the Wisconsin State Fair grounds.
From 1933-94, the Green Bay Packers split their home schedule between Green Bay and Milwaukee and the games in the Brew City were held primarily at Milwaukee County Stadium. American Family Field officially replaced Milwaukee County Stadium in 2001, yet the lore of the old Stadium exists to this day. Adjacent to Am Fam Field is County Stadium’s old footprint, which includes the visitor-friendly Helfaer Field that’s suited for youth baseball, softball and other events. And while you’re there, be on the lookout for the location of where home plate was at the old County Stadium.
A nonprofit and community staple, Journey House empowers families on Milwaukee’s near southside to move out of poverty. As part of its program deliverables, Journey House is also where guests can enjoy the only official Green Bay Packers turf field in the world outside of Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Located in Mitchell Park behind the Mitchell Park Domes at South 22nd and Pierce Streets, the Journey House Packers Stadium opened June 6, 2013. The synthetic turf football field was donated to Journey House by the Green Bay Packers, which used the field as part of their practice facility during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Nowadays, the field is home to youth leagues and other sports events.
