Last Game at Old City Stadium, 1956

The Green Bay Press-Gazette is currently running a great feature (written by the always-sterling Jeff Ash) on the last game at Green Bay's old City Stadium, which was played 56 years ago today.

Of course, it would not be complete without a photo gallery, and the P-G does not disappoint.

Green Bay Packers receiver Gary Knafelc (84) hauls in a pass against the San Francisco 49ers at old City Stadium on Nov. 18, 1956. He's flanked by 49ers safeties Bob Holladay (27), left, and Dicky Moegle (47), right. The Packers lost 17-16. It was the last NFL game played at old City Stadium. Press-Gazette archives

The Packers are wearing their dark blue-green jerseys with dark gold helmets, numbers and Northwestern stripes on sleeves and socks. A classic uniform, even if the team's play couldn't quite live up to it. As the caption notes, the Packers lost the game after trailing for the entire second half. Not that the Green Bay fans saw; as Ash notes, the game had 7,000 empty seats and was blacked out of Green Bay television screens. The fans following at home had to do so via the Press-Gazette's radio station WJPG, with Tony Flynn and Wisconsin sports fixture Earl Gillespie.

The view looking north from old City Stadium during the Green Bay Packers' last game there on Nov. 18, 1956. A less-than-capacity crowd of 17,986 saw the Packers lose 17-16 to the San Francisco 49ers. Press-Gazette archives

That particular game was notable not only for its celebration of the Packers' past—saying good-bye to their home of over thirty years—but the glimpse at the team's future, as rookie quarterback Bart Starr made his first NFL start.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Bart Starr (15), making his first start, looks downfield against the San Francisco 49ers at old City Stadium on Nov. 18, 1956. 49ers linebacker Matt Hazeltine (55) rushes at right. Press-Gazette archives

As befitting these sturdy, if not flashy, uniforms, the game was marked by a brutal ground game. The Packers struck first, as Starr connected with Billy Howton for a 39-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. After completing six passes for 63 yards, Starr was pulled in the second quarter for veteran Tobin Rote.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Tobin Rote (18) looks downfield against the San Francisco 49ers at old City Stadium on Nov. 18, 1956. From left are 49ers defensive linemen Bruce Bosley (77) and Ed Henke (75), Packers guard Forrest Gregg (75) and 49ers defensive tackle Leo Nomellini (73). Press-Gazette archives

Good to see another future Hall of Famer in those uniforms, this time Forrest Gregg. It's a reminder that Lombardi's dynasty teams had its roots in a far less glamourous era.

The offense sputtered under Rote, and after Fred Cone's field goal staked the Bays to a 9-0 lead, the 49ers came back to control the game.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Y.A. Tittle (14) dives over the goal line on a 1-yard touchdown run during the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers at old City Stadium on Nov. 18, 1956. Packers linebacker Tom Bettis (65) is closest to Tittle. Packers defensive end Nate Borden (87) is at right. Press-Gazette archives

In addition to the uniforms, we also get a fantastic view of the Packers' sideline capes in action:

San Francisco 49ers halfback Hugh McIlhenny (39) changes direction to try to evade Green Bay Packers safety Val Joe Walker (47) on an 86-yard touchdown run during the third quarter at old City Stadium on Nov. 18, 1956. From left are 49ers center George Morris (52), Packers defensive end Gene Knutson (81) and 49ers receiver Billy Wilson (84). The Packers lost 17-16. It was the last NFL game played at old City Stadium. Press-Gazette archives

There's one more photo from this gallery I'd like to share with you, although it doesn't relate to the Packers' uniform history. As befitted the final game in their old stadium, the Packers cast their eye backwards with a halftime ceremony featuring team co-founder George Whitney Calhoun, who was presented with a scroll honoring his contributions to the city.

Green Bay Packers co-founder George Whitney Calhoun, center, is honored at halftime of the game between the Packers and the San Francisco 49ers at old City Stadium on Nov. 18, 1956. Calhoun is assisted by Jim Cook, a former Green Bay East High School star who played for the Packers in 1921. Press-Gazette archives

Not his more famous partner Curly Lambeau, interestingly enough. This was just six years after Curly's feud with the Packers' Board of Directors finally boiled over into his ouster, and although he had retired from coaching by this time (following stints with the Chicago Cardinals and Washington Redskins), the bad blood hadn't quite settled.

The disappointing loss left both teams level at 2-6 as the Packers began their customary end-of-season road trip. They won at Detroit and Chicago (Cardinals), but lost both halves of their West Coast swing (a rematch with the 49ers and a final game at the Rams) to close out 1956 at the very bottom of the Western Conference, 4-8. The seeds of greatness might have been being sewn on that chilly November field, but it seems unlikely that the fans knew it at the time.

There's more at the Press-Gazette's site, check it out.