Founded In Wisconsin - A Brief History of Green Bay (More than just the home of the Pack)

greenwoodphilip
Aug 11
10 min read

Updated: Aug 13

(This starts a series on Green Bay and several of its organizations older than 100 years old and still going)

Green Bay, Wisconsin, strategically positioned at the mouth of the Fox River, has achieved economic success by capitalizing on its proximity to Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River. The city's economic history is a testament to its adaptability, demonstrated through resource utilization, industrialization, and strategic diversification. By redefining its economic identity, Green Bay has effectively harnessed natural resources, developed infrastructure, and promoted collaboration. This report examines Green Bay's economic development, emphasizing significant transitions, challenges, and the strategic factors that have contributed to its sustained prosperity.

Historical and Cultural Evolution of Native Nations in Green Bay

The Green Bay area, located at the confluence of the Fox River and Green Bay waters, has historically been a significant hub for Native American nations, particularly the Menominee and Ho-Chunk. The Ho-Chunk trace their origins to the Red Banks of Green Bay, associated with effigy mound-building cultures, while the Menominee's heritage extends over 12,000 years. These nations developed sophisticated societies; the Menominee flourished with resources like wild rice, game, and fish, and were adept at navigating waterways, organizing into clans led by the Bear moiety chief. The Ho-Chunk, dependent on agriculture, managed extensive gardens, hunted woodland animals, and were structured into 12 patrilineal clans with specific roles.

In the 19th century, a transition to agriculture and resource extraction led to land disputes. The Menominee ceded land under the 1836 Treaty but resisted relocation by establishing a reservation. The Oneida, displaced from New York, experienced land loss but managed to retain some reservation territory. The Ojibwe maintained hunting rights, while the Brothertown Nation accepted U.S. citizenship to avoid displacement.

Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, Native nations in Green Bay have reasserted their sovereignty through economic and cultural revitalization efforts. The Menominee restored their reservation in 1973, focusing on sustainable forest management. The Oneida Nation's growth was propelled by initiatives like the "Big Green" lottery and the Ashwaubenon Casino, which supported essential services and land repurchase efforts. Today, the Oneida Nation is a significant economic contributor, collaborating with the Green Bay Packers, symbolizing a transition from past conflicts to mutual recognition and cultural autonomy.

Transformation of Green Bay: From Fur Trade to Economic Powerhouse

In 1634, Jean Nicolet, commissioned by Samuel de Champlain, arrived to form alliances with Native tribes and explore trade routes. Nicolet founded La Baye, engaging with the Menominee and Ho-Chunk peoples in a thriving fur trade, exchanging European goods for furs like beaver pelts, which transformed local economies. Charles Michel de Langlade became the first permanent European settler in 1764. During the French and Indian War, the British took control, liberalizing fur trade licenses and boosting prosperity from 1763 to 1780. After independence, Green Bay came under U.S. control with Fort Howard's establishment in 1816, aiding economic integration. John Jacob Astor's American Fur Trade Company thrived until overhunting and changing fashion trends led to its closure in 1842. By Wisconsin's statehood in 1848, the fur trade had collapsed, shifting focus to agriculture. The Erie Canal and post-Black Hawk War migration turned Green Bay into a trading hub, with agriculture, especially wheat, driving growth by 1850.

Logging began in the 1830s, becoming Wisconsin's economic backbone by the mid-19th century, facilitated by the Menominee Nation's 1836 land cession. Green Bay's location on the Fox River enabled efficient timber transport. Despite an 1857 downturn, the industry recovered by 1862, with Green Bay becoming the largest shingle market by 1870. By 1867, lumber was a major export to cities like Chicago and New York. Incorporated in 1854, Green Bay's growth was driven by logging, providing employment and stability. Leaders diversified beyond timber, strengthening the economy with meat packing, shipping, and iron smelting. Proximity to Lake Michigan and new rail lines enhanced food processing. The Port of Green Bay transitioned to a major agricultural hub, becoming the largest flour exporting port on the Great Lakes by the late 1800s, building economic resilience.

A Fire Greater than than the Chicago Fire

The Great Peshtigo Fire of October 8, 1871, although it did not directly affect Green Bay, had a profound impact on its economic development. Coinciding with the Great Chicago Fire, it ravaged 1.2 to 1.5 million acres in Northeast Wisconsin, including Door and Kewaunee counties, and destroyed approximately one-third of the region's timber. With damages estimated at $169 million and over 1,152 confirmed fatalities, it remains one of the deadliest fires in U.S. history. This disaster accelerated the decline of the lumbering era in Brown County, which was already in decline before 1871, by depleting vital timber resources. In the aftermath, Green Bay and Fort Howard emerged as crucial relief centers for those affected by the fire. This event underscores how external shocks can drive economic transitions, hastening the shift away from timber dependence and prompting communities to diversify and adopt new economic models.

Development of Transportation Infrastructure

In the late 1860s, Green Bay experienced a substantial transformation with the strategic expansion of railway lines, which enhanced its economic status by integrating the city into national markets. The establishment of the Green Bay and Western Railroad (GBW) in 1896 was crucial in connecting Green Bay to the Mississippi River by 1873. A notable advancement occurred in 1892 with the introduction of a train ferry service across Lake Michigan, allowing a direct route to the East Coast and circumventing Chicago's congestion. Under the leadership of Homer McGee from 1934, GBW evolved into a high-speed route for efficient goods transport. Early road infrastructure, particularly the Green Bay Road, played a vital role in connecting settlers and facilitating commerce, laying the groundwork for Green Bay's evolution from a regional outpost to a significant hub in national and international supply chains.

Economic Resilience During the Great Depression

The Great Depression, triggered by the 1929 stock market crash, caused widespread economic distress in the U.S., characterized by business failures, mass unemployment, and reduced consumer demand. American cities faced severe hardship, but Green Bay remained resilient due to its stable paper mills, which continued to operate and provide employment, making the paper industry a vital stabilizing force during this economic crisis. During World War II, Green Bay quickly adapted its economy to support the national war effort, highlighting its industrial strength. Local shipyards, such as the Christy Corporation, played a crucial role in building naval vessels, while paper mills produced military-grade materials, showcasing their versatility. Factories manufactured essential military equipment, integrating the city into the national defense network. The community engaged in scrap drives and war bond campaigns, channeling resources into national production, demonstrating Green Bay's industrial capability and civic duty in meeting national needs.

Evolution of Manufacturing and Diversification into Service Sectors

Following World War II, Green Bay experienced rapid urban development characterized by residential expansion, the creation of new road networks, and the establishment of cultural landmarks such as the Neville Public Museum. The founding of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay in 1968 significantly enhanced the city's educational landscape. Despite challenges in the paper industry and a national decline in manufacturing jobs, Green Bay has transformed into a modern city with a diverse economy, notably a robust service sector. The city retains a substantial manufacturing presence, with 18.8% of jobs in this sector, surpassing the national average of 11.0%. Green Bay is acknowledged as a "Resurgent Industrial City" due to its diversified employment opportunities and high well-being metrics. Key industries now include Transportation & Logistics, Manufacturing, Food & Beverage Processing, Paper & Packaging, Healthcare, and Education, with major employers like Bellin Health and Schreiber Foods playing a crucial role in its economic stability and growth.

Companies of the Past - Gone and/or Acquired

Some of the companies in Green Bay's recent past who played a significant role in Green Bay's growth are no long independent due to going out of business or were acquired include:

Shopko Stores, Inc., Shopko, founded by James Ruben in 1962 in Green Bay, combined traditional merchandise with in-house healthcare services. It expanded rapidly in the Midwest, reaching over $1 billion in sales by 1988. After being acquired by SuperValu in 1971 and purchasing Pamida in 1999, Shopko was taken private by Sun Capital Partners in 2005, leading to debt and asset mismanagement. Facing financial difficulties and shifting consumer habits, Shopko filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2019, closing all stores by June and impacting thousands of jobs. However, the optical division was sold to Shoptikal LLC and continues as Shopko Optical, now part of Fielmann USA, Inc.

Fort Howard Paper Company, Founded by Austin E. Cofrin in 1919, the company was a major industrial force in Green Bay, recognized for its pioneering use of recycled materials in papermaking. After losing his job at Northern Paper Mill, Cofrin raised $350,000 to start the company, which became a leader in recycling technology and received environmental accolades in the 1990s. It was self-sufficient, generating its own power and producing its own chemicals. After Austin's retirement in 1960, his son John P. Cofrin expanded the company, which went public in 1971 and achieved over $100 million in sales by 1972. The company acquired Maryland Cup Corporation in the 1980s and underwent a leveraged buyout in 1988. In 1997, it merged with James River Corporation to form Fort James Corporation, later acquired by Georgia-Pacific in 2000. The Cofrin family left a lasting philanthropic legacy, notably contributing to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

The Hoberg Paper Company, Founded in 1895 by John H. Hoberg in Green Bay, the company significantly contributed to the city's paper industry. Despite initial financial challenges, it merged with the Green Bay Paper and Fiber Company in 1922, resulting in the formation of the Hoberg Paper and Fibre Company. A pivotal development was the introduction of the "Charmin" bath tissue brand in 1928, which led to the company being renamed Charmin Paper Mills in 1953. Procter & Gamble acquired the company in 1957, marking the end of local ownership. Notably, it was one of the first companies in the Midwest to unionize. Tragically, founder John Hoberg lost his life in a paper machine accident.

The Green Bay and Western Railroad (GBW), The "Green Bay Route," established as the Green Bay & Lake Pepin Railway in 1866, was crucial to Green Bay's economic growth until its acquisition. It began operations in 1872, reaching East Winona by 1873, and was renamed the Green Bay and Western Railroad in 1896. As a "bridge carrier," it introduced a train ferry service in 1892, connecting the Midwest with the East Coast. Under President Homer McGee from 1934, it became a high-speed route for goods and automobiles. The railroad thrived with its paper business and founded the Western Refrigerator Line Company in 1929. Passenger services ended in 1949. In 1978, Itel Corporation acquired the GBW, which merged with the Fox River Valley Railroad in 1993, becoming part of the Wisconsin Central, and was later purchased by Canadian National in 2001. Much of the original mainline still operates under Canadian National.

Strategic Economic Development Initiatives and Community Efforts

Green Bay's economic growth thrives on strategic planning and investments in key sectors like manufacturing, business recruitment, education, and talent retention. The Greater Green Bay Economic Development Strategic Plan, supported by Envision Greater Green Bay and the NEW Manufacturing Alliance, involves community stakeholders to enhance industry. The city's Community Economic Development department leverages local assets, focusing on safety, accessibility, and innovation, particularly in Downtown and the Legends District. Educational institutions such as UW-Green Bay and NWTC tailor their programs to meet industry needs, bolstering the regional economy.

Technological advancements play a pivotal role, with TitletownTech, a collaboration between the Green Bay Packers and Microsoft, fostering digital innovation. Microsoft's AI and cloud infrastructure investments further drive technological progress. Cultural attractions like the Neville Public Museum draw visitors, while environmental initiatives like the Fox River cleanup improve natural assets and downtown revitalization. These efforts embody a community-centered approach to sustainable growth.

And Yes, The Green Bay Packers: A Unique Economic and Cultural Phenomenon

The Green Bay Packers, established in 1918, are integral to both the culture and economy of Green Bay, with Lambeau Field enhancing their impact since 1957. As a publicly owned franchise, they significantly contribute to the local economy and foster community pride. The 2025 NFL Draft underscored their economic influence, generating $72.9 million in Brown County and $104.7 million across the state, exceeding expectations. The event attracted 360,000 visitors, boosting local businesses and elevating Green Bay's national reputation. Beyond being a cultural emblem, the Packers are a formidable economic force, driving tourism and innovation. The success of the NFL Draft highlights their crucial role in rebranding Green Bay and showcasing its ability to host major events, thereby enhancing the city's economy and international stature. A more detailed history of the Packers will be provided at a later date.

Conclusion

Green Bay, Wisconsin's economic history is marked by adaptability and resilience. Initially a fur trading post in 1634, the city thrived on natural resources before shifting to agriculture due to over-exploitation. In the 19th and 20th centuries, it transitioned to industries like lumbering, overcoming challenges such as the Peshtigo Fire. Investments in transportation infrastructure fueled industrialization, making Green Bay a national supply chain hub. The paper and pulp industry, led by companies like Hoberg and Fort Howard, stabilized the economy during the Great Depression. Post-war, the Green Bay Packers became an economic anchor, boosting tourism and media exposure. The city diversified into sectors like healthcare and logistics while maintaining strong manufacturing, earning the title "Resurgent Industrial City." Green Bay's economic vitality is driven by strategic planning and community collaboration, with initiatives like the Greater Green Bay Economic Development Strategic Plan and tech partnerships positioning it for future growth. Its history underscores a capacity to adapt, respond to crises, invest strategically, and leverage cultural assets for sustained prosperity.

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