Green Bay, Wisconsin
Green Bay is a city in and the county seat of Brown County in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, located at the head of Green Bay, a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It has an elevation of 581 feet (177 m) above sea level and is located 112 miles (180 km) north of Milwaukee. As of the 2010 United States Census, Green Bay had a population of 104,057. Its 2008 estimated census was 101,025. The Town of Green Bay is located several miles northeast of the city. It is the third-largest city in the state of Wisconsin, after Milwaukee and Madison. It is also the third-largest city on the west shore of Lake Michigan, after Chicago and Milwaukee.Green Bay is the principal city of the Green Bay Metropolitan Statistical Area, which covers Brown, Kewaunee, and Oconto Counties and had a combined population of 282,599 at the 2000 census. The 2008 estimated population of the Green Bay metropolitan area is 302,935.Green Bay is an industrial city with several meatpacking and paper plants, and a port on the bay of Green Bay, an arm of Lake Michigan. It is home to the National Railroad Museum; the Neville Public Museum, with exhibitions of art, history, and science; and the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay.The Green Bay Packers professional football team was formed in the city in 1919 and joined the National Football League (NFL) in 1921. Green Bay is by far the smallest market with an NFL team, although the Packers are avidly supported in the larger Milwaukee market and throughout Wisconsin and in Michigan in the Upper Peninsula. Green Bay is unofficially nicknamed 'Titletown, USA' for the number of NFL titles (13) it has won over the years (including the first two Super Bowls and two further victories in 1997 and 2011). The name appears on the city seal, is used by the Green Bay Chamber of Commerce for its web address, and variations of the word appear in the name of more than two dozen local businesses.Green Bay has been awarded the title of All-America City twice, in 1964, and 1999.
History
Archaeological studies have shown that people lived in the Green Bay area before the first French settlers arrived. Animals that are common today in the thick woods of the Green Bay area also lived in the area long ago. They are mostly creatures with very long and thick coats, as it was necessary for survival in the cold winters. Along with mammals were also fish that are similar to the species found today in the waters around Green Bay.Jean Nicolet was commissioned by New France’s founder, Samuel de Champlain to form a peaceful alliance with Indians whose unrest was interfering with French trade and to possibly find a shorter trade route to China through Canada. Nicolet and others had learned of the existence of the Ho-Chunk (Winnebago) people, who referred to themselves as 'People of the Sea', and believed they must reside on or near the Pacific Ocean. Champlain had also heard about resources in the area, including fertile soil, forests, and animals. Nicolet set out on his journey for this new land shortly before winter in 1634. In what later became a French fur-trading route, he sailed up the Ottawa River, through Lake Nipissing and down the French River to Lake Huron, then through the straits of Michilimackinac into Lake Michigan and is believed to have landed at Red Banks, near the modern-day city of Green Bay.A small trading post, originally named La Baye or La Baie des Puants (French for 'the stinking Bay'), was established by Nicolet at this location in 1634, making Green Bay the one of the oldest permanent settlements in America. When Nicolet arrived in the Green Bay area, the first group he encountered was the Menominee, as Green Bay was in their territory. There was also one that spoke a Sioux language, the Ho-Chunk, also known as the Winnebago. Besides hunting and fishing, the Winnebagos cultivated corn, bean, squash, and tobacco. Wild rice, a dietary staple, grew in abundance in the river and its tributaries, and was gathered along with nuts, berries, and edible roots of the woods.' In this tribe there were distinguished and easily identified gender roles. The men typically hunted and fished for food, and the women cooked and prepared the furs of the dead animals for rugs, furniture and other uses around the house. Women were an important aspect of the political process, as no action could be taken without agreement of half of the women. Nicolet stayed with this tribe for about a year, becoming an ally, which helped open up opportunities for trade and commerce. He then returned to Quebec.A few months after Nicolet returned from his quest, Champlain died. His death put a halt on journeys to the newly discovered land, La Baie Verte (French for The Green Bay).Nicolas Perrot was the next journeyman sent to La Baie by Pere Claude Allouez. After this, the French avoided the area because of the intensity of Indian and European wars. In 1671 a Jesuit Mission was set up in the area. A fort was added in 1717. The town was incorporated in 1754, and was passed to British control in 1761.One of the first permanent French settlers was Charles de Langlade and his family, who moved to Green Bay in 1765, becoming the first permanent settlers in Wisconsin. Langlade, called the 'Father of Wisconsin', was a half-French Ottawa war chief who is credited with planning the ambush of British General Braddock and George Washington in the French and Indian War. The Grignons, Porliers and Lawes who followed brought Canadian-French culture with them. Colorful 'jack-knife Judge' Reaume dispensed British justice in the territory.” These early French settlers set the tone for the remainder who came to the area.The Green Bay area was still under British control until years after the end of the Revolutionary War, even after America had gained its independence. 'Doty, Whitney, Arndt, Baird and Martin were among the American settlers who pushed French culture into the background following the American establishment of Fort Howard in 1816.' As British settlers in the area came to outnumber the French, the name 'Green Bay' (from the French: Baie Verte) became the more common name for the town. In 1783 the town became part of the United States of America. The United States Army built Fort Howard on the banks of the Fox River in 1816.Before Wisconsin became a state in 1848, the majority of commerce had to do with fur trading. After statehood, there was a shift away from fur trading toward lumbering. 'For a short time in 1860s and 1870s, iron smelting in charcoal kilns rivaled the timber industry while the port handled increasing amounts of fuel, feed, and lumber. Today's major local industry had its start in 1895 when the first paper mill was built.' Wisconsin's first newspaper, The Green Bay Intelligencer, was first published in 1833. The borough of Green Bay was created in 1838 and is the main center of the current city. By 1850 the town had a population of 1,923. The town was incorporated as the city of Green Bay, joining several small towns including Navarino, Astor (created by John Jacob Astor) and Fort Howard in 1854. The Green Bay Area Public School District was founded in 1856.The 1850s brought much change to the city of Green Bay when other groups started immigrating to the area. That decade brought an influx of Belgian, German, Scandinavian, Irish and Dutch immigrants as word spread of America's cheap land and good soil. The greatest concentration of newcomers came from Belgium. They cleared the land to farm and build their homes. The railroad arrived in the 1860s. Chicago and Northwestern Railroad companies were formed, which allowed people and products to travel all over the state, increasing business and trade opportunities. The area was able to grow and enrich itself with the use of the river and the plentiful timber resources. This led to the paper industry becoming the major employer in Green Bay, and opened up the port for international trade.In 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt came to Green Bay to honor its tricentennial. By 1950 the city had a population of 52,735. In 1964, the Town of Preble was consolidated with the city of Green Bay.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 54.3 square miles (140.6 km2), of which 43.9 square miles (113.7 km2) is land and 10.4 square miles (27 km2) is water. The total area is 86.59% land.
Climate
Green Bay has a humid continental climate (Koppen Dfb), moderated slightly by the city's proximity to Lake Michigan. The city's climate features four distinct seasons, with warm, frequently hot summers and long, cold and snowy winters. The variance in temperature and precipitation between months is severe and often extreme. Monthly mean temperatures range from 15.6 °F (−9.1 °C) in January to 69.9 °F (21.1 °C) in July.The wettest month in Green Bay is August, when 3.77 inches (95.8 mm) of precipitation falls, mostly in the form of rainfall from thunderstorms. The driest month in Green Bay is February, when the majority of precipitation falls as low moisture-content snow due to cold, dry air. On average, 1.01 inches (25.7 mm) of precipitation falls in February.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 102,313 people, 41,591 households, and 24,663 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,332.1 people per square mile (900.5/km2). There were 43,123 housing units at an average density of 982.9 per square mile (379.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 85.86% White, 1.38% African American, 3.28% Native American, 3.76% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.72% from other races, and 1.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.13% of the population.There were 41,591 households of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.7% were non-families. About 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.06.In the city the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 97.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.8 males.The median income for a household in the city was $38,820, and the median income for a family was $48,678. Males had a median income of $33,246 versus $23,825 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,269. About 7.4% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under the age of 18 and 9.2% of those 65 and older.
Transportation
The majority of the people in Green Bay use cars. The city was the headquarters of the Green Bay and Western Railroad from 1896 to 1993. After the GB&W quit, the line was purchased by Wisconsin Central Transportation. In 2001, the WC was merged into the Canadian National system. The Chicago and North Western Railway also served Green Bay, and their depot still stands today. Green Bay was last served with a regular passenger train, the CNW's Peninsula 400, in 1971. The CNW sold its trackage from Green Bay south to Sheboygan in 1987 to the Fox River Valley Railroad, which became part of the WC in 1993. Green Bay also saw passenger service from the Milwaukee Road's Chippewa Hiawatha, which ran from Chicago into the UP of Michigan. Green Bay is also served by the Escanaba and Lake Superior Railroad. Amtrak expansion to Green Bay is part of the Midwest Regional Rail Project, and would follow a route from Milwaukee through Fond du Lac, Oshkosh and Appleton. Wisconsin DOT plan service starting in 2019. A citizens group, NEWRails, is lobbying for an earlier start.Green Bay is served by Austin Straubel International Airport. Green Bay also has its own mass transit system known as Green Bay Metro (formerly known as Green Bay Transit).Green Bay is connected to the rest of the state by four major highways. US-41 connects Green Bay to the Fox Cities, Fond du Lac and Milwaukee to the south and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan via Oconto, Peshtigo, and Marinette. US-141 starts in Green Bay and joins with US-41 to the north for 18 miles before splitting off and providing access to the Upper Peninsula via Niagara. I-43, which terminates at US-41/US-141, heads south along Lake Michigan to Milwaukee and on to Illinois via Beloit. Recently WI-29 has been upgraded to four lanes to provide better access to western Wisconsin and Minnesota via Wausau and Eau Claire.
Other highways of importance are :
WI-172: Forms a southern highway bypass of Green Bay, and continuing to Austin Straubel Airport.
WI-32: Two lane highway which runs from Illinois to Michigan and provides alternative routes to the north and south and travels through many small communities.
WI-54: Two lane highway which runs through Green Bay from Algoma to New London and Waupaca.
WI-57: Heads to Green Bay from I-43 near Port Washington and continues through Sturgeon Bay to the Door Peninsula, terminating with WI-42 at Gills Rock with ferry access to Washington Island. Southbound the highway runs to Chilton.
Religion
The city is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Green Bay. The Cathedral of Saint Francis Xavier in Green Bay is the mother church of the Diocese. The diocese is in the province of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The Saint Joseph Oratory is located in Green Bay.In 2000, the American Religion Data Archive reported Green Bay to be predominantly Catholic (71.5%), with Lutherans composing an additional 16.4%. The remaining 12% are almost entirely Protestant denominations. There is also an Islamic mosque and an Unitarian Universalist Fellowship located in the city.Congregation Cnesses Israel Temple, serving the area's Jewish population, is on the city's east-side.
Sports
Green Bay Packers(football)
Green Bay Blizzard(indoor football)
Green Bay Chill(lingerie football)
Green Bay Gladiators(football)
St. Norbert College
UW–Green Bay Phoenix
Green Bay Bullfrogs(baseball)
Green Bay Gamblers(Ice hockey)
Power Green Bay(Volleyball)
Media and internet
Green Bay is served by the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Another local newspaper, the Green Bay News-Chronicle, ceased publication in 2005.There is a free public Wi-Fi system in the downtown Green Bay Broadway District that went into operation in 2007.
Largest Employers
According to the City's 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the largest employers in the city are:Other large employers based in Green Bay include Associated Banc-Corp, Festival Foods, the Green Bay Packers, JBS Packerland, the Paper Converting Machine Company, Schreiber Foods and Shopko.
Points of interest
Bay Beach Amusement Park
Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena
City Stadium, former home of the Packers
Cofrin Memorial Arboretum
Green Bay Botanical Garden
The Broadway District
Heritage Hill State Park
Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers
Meyer Theater
National Railroad Museum
Neville Public Museum
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
NEW Zoo
Resch Center, home of theGreen Bay BlizzardandGreen Bay Gamblers
Fox River State Recreational Trail
Weidner Center
Wildlife Sanctuary
Shopping
Green Bay is home to two shopping malls, and dozens of strip malls. Green Bay is also home to the first Shopko discount department store, and all kinds of unique shopping destinations.Bay Park Square&The Village at Bay Park
Built in 1980, Bay Park Square is the main shopping center in the Green Bay area, being located in the suburb of Ashwaubenon. Bay Park Square is anchored by Shopko, Kohl's, and Younkers/Younkers Furniture Gallery, and has hundreds of specialty shops. Bay Park Square has a football stadium-themed food court filled with seven different eateries and two giant flatscreen television sets at both ends of the food court. Bay Park Cinema is located behind Shopko. Neighboring Bay Park Square is a shopping plaza known as The Village at Bay Park, home to Fashion Bug, JCPenney, DSW, and a few specialty shops.East Town Mall
Built in 1982, and remodeled three times, East Town Mall is a small shopping center/strip mall hybrid located on Green Bay's east side, near Interstate 43 on East Mason Street. East Town's current anchors are Hobby Lobby, Fashion Bug, Office Max, Kohl's, Petco, Shopko and ALDI. East Town has around 10 specialty shops (and one restaurant) inside the climate-controlled interior, with room for a few more. A budget cinema is also located inside the mall near Hobby Lobby. The East Town Mall also has seven Windspire vertical wind turbines outside of their main entrance. Official East Town Mall WebsiteGreen Bay Plaza
Green Bay Plaza, built in 1960, is a large strip mall located on Green Bay's west side at the Military Ave./West Mason St. intersection. It is currently anchored by Michaels, Factory Card Outlet, T.J. Maxx, HomeGoods, Big Lots, Office Depot, and a free-standing Sears department store. Green Bay Plaza also has numerous specialty shops and restaurants.
Notable residents
Nate Abrams, NFL player
John Anderson–ESPNSportscenter anchor, attendedSouthwest High School
Ken Anderson- professional wrestler who is known as Mr Kennedy in WWF, MR Anderson In TNA
Wayland Becker- NFL player
Tony Bennett–University of Virginiamen's basketballcoach and former NBA player for theCharlotte Hornets, attendedPreble High School
Jason Berken-MLBplayer
Dan Buenning–guardfor the NFLChicago Bears, attendedBay Port High School
Art Bultman- NFL player for theBrooklyn Dodgersand the Green Bay Packers
George Whitney Calhoun- co-founder of the Green Bay Packers
Dick Campbell- NFL player
Raymond Joseph Cannon- U.S. Representative,MLBplayer, attorney forJack Dempseyand the accused players of theBlack Sox Scandal
James Cook- NFL player
Jim Crowley– one-fourth of theUniversity of Notre Dame's legendary 'Four Horsemen' backfield
Jerry Daanen- NFL player
Darroll DeLaPorte- NFL player
Jay DeMerit– player forWatford F.C.in theFootball League Championship,Englandand theUnited States men's national soccer team, attendedBay Port High School
Dutch Dwyer- NFL player
Riggie Dwyer- NFL player
Jim Flanigan- NFL player for theChicago Bears, Green Bay Packers,San Francisco 49ers, and thePhiladelphia Eagles
Ted Fritsch- NFL player
Ted Fritsch, Jr.- NFL player
Rebecca Giddens- world champion canoer, Olympic medalist
Roger Harring– football coach,University of Wisconsin–La Crosse
Arnie Herber- NFL player for the Green Bay Packers andNew York Giants, member of thePro Football Hall of Fame
Jim Hobbins- NFL player
Fee Klaus- professional football player
Greg Knafelc- NFL player
Tod Kowalczyk- head coach of theUniversity of Toledomen's basketball team
Bob Kroll- NFL player
Gary Kroner- professional football player
Curly Lambeau– founder, player, and first coach of the Green Bay Packers
Wes Leaper- NFL player
Jim Magnuson- MLB player
Charlie Mathys- NFL player for theHammond Prosand Green Bay Packers
Terrie Miller- Olympic athlete
Dennis Murphy-Medal of Honorrecipient
Brian Noble- NFL player
Dominic Olejniczak- Mayor of Green Bay, President and Chairman of the Board of the Green Bay Packers
Joe Perrault- Olympic athlete
Ken Radick- NFL player for the Green Bay Packers andBrooklyn Dodgers
Dick Rehbein- NFL assistant coach
Chester J. Roberts- head coach of theMiami Redskinsfootball and men's basketball teams
Chuck Sample- NFL player
Mary Sauer- pole vaulter
Joe Secord- NFL player
Lauren Sesselmann- professional soccer player
Walter Wellesley Smith(1905–1982) – Pulitzer Prize-winning sportswriter
Aaron Stecker–running backfor the NFLNew Orleans Saints, attendedAshwaubenon High School
Horst Stemke- Olympic athlete
Kevin Stemke- NFL player
Jerry Tagge- NFL player
Ron Vander Kelen- NFL player
Brad Voyles-MLBplayer
Cowboy Wheeler- NFL player
Charlie Whitehurst- NFL player
Bob Wickman–Major League Baseballpitcherfor theArizona Diamondbacks.
Paul Wilmet-MLBplayer
Vince Workman- NFL player
Dick Zoll- NFL player for theCleveland Ramsand Green Bay Packers
Karen Borca- musician
Eric Bray- record producer
Paul Gigot-Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist
Richard Gilliam– fantasy author and editor
Sally Anne Golden- actress
Joel Hodgson– creator and star of the TV showMystery Science Theater 3000, graduated from Ashwaubenon High School in 1978
Jim Knipfel- author
Jeff Kurtenacker- composer
Doug Larson- newspaper columist
Pat MacDonald– singer inTimbuk3
Leo Ornstein– a composer/pianist, finished his life in Green Bay
Dave Pirner- lead singer ofSoul Asylum
Tony Shalhoub– actor in the TV series,Monk, attendedGreen Bay East High School
Mona Simpson– novelist and essayist; younger sister ofSteve Jobs, co-founder and CEO ofApple Inc.; wife ofRichard Appel, a writer forThe Simpsons. Homer Simpson's mother is named after her.
Zack Snyder– director ofDawn of the Dead(2004 version) and300.
Margaret Teele(Margaret Poby) – 1960s TV and movie actress, attended St. Joseph's Academy (nowNotre Dame de la Baie Academy)
Louise Adeline Weitzel(1862–1934) –Pennsylvania Dutchpoet
Alfred Lawson- credited as inventor of theairliner
James Mulva– Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer ofConocoPhilips
Gallery
The Port Plaza Towers
South Village Historical District
Adams Street
Nicolet Bank
Downtown Green Bay YMCA
The Broadway District
Large South Side home
South Washington Street on the near east side of Green Bay
The Northern Building
East Main Street in Green Bay
The east side of Green Bay
Bay of Green Bay
Burke Hall,St. Norbert CollegeinDe Pere, Wisconsin
Thome Fountain, inGreen Bay Botanical Garden
Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers
