Green Bay established its reputation as a fulfilling place to live and great city to visit long before the Green Bay Packers and Lambeau Field came into existence. The spirit of ambition and prosperity now symbolized by the Packers was born out of the industrial communities that first defined the city.
Situated near the Great Lakes, on a prime part of the Fox River, Green Bay's settlers relied on their access to water for both their livelihoods and entertainment. Green Bay originally functioned as a trading post in 1963 when it gained appeal with French explorers like Jean Nicolet. In the early 1700's, Green Bay became a lasting home for settlers who turned it into a harbor town that supported the paper, dairy, meat and farming industries. Of course, Green Bay's meatpacking business eventually made way for Green Bay Packers football.
Today, Green Bay's commerce is still thriving. The city's founding industries are still alive and have successfully merged with the technological advances of the modern business society. In fact, Green Bay is noted as one of the best cities in America in which to own a business.
The citizens of Green Bay value their local businesses and leaders. They recognize the role that good education plays in shaping the future landscape of their community. As a result, Green Bay has made education a priority and gained respect for its attention to learning. Aside from its outstanding primary school systems, Green Bay is home to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (UWGB), St. Norbert's College and Northeastern Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC).
Green Bay has come a long way since its trading post days, but continues to draw on the ideals of its past; ideals such as community, diligence, leisure and family. With a current population of over 100,000 people, Green Bay residents are proud that they've maintained a safe community that's earned Green Bay the distinction of being one of the best cities in the U.S. in which to raise a family. Green Bay's history, like that of the Packers, is indeed a living legacy and can be explored further at Heritage Hill State Historical Pack, where history literally comes to life through live reenactments of Green Bay's early beginnings.