When was county stadium built

Aaron hit his final home run at County Stadium, giving him a career total of , establishing at the time the career home run record he first took from Babe Ruth in Aaron's final home run took place in the 7th inning with a solo shot off California Angels right-hander Dick Drago on July 20, , a game that the Brewers would win By the s, County Stadium was considered outdated, lacking the amenities most notably luxury boxes that generated additional revenue for teams.

On July 11, , Selig announced plans for a publicly-financed replacement to be built adjacent to County Stadium, opening in time for the season. The new stadium funding plan proved to be extremely controversial, and it was not until that groundbreaking began on the new stadium, by now named Miller Park as part of a sponsorship deal with nearby Miller Brewing Company. Miller Park's most distinctive new feature was a retractable roof, deemed essential to drawing fans during the cool and unpredictable Wisconsin spring.

At the time of the groundbreaking, Miller Park was scheduled to open in , making the final season in County Stadium. The Brewers opened the season intending to bid farewell to their old park. On July 14, three construction workers at the Miller Park site were killed in a crane collapse while attempting to install a ton roof panel. A good part of the construction site was also damaged as a result. Cleanup and an investigation delayed the closing of County Stadium to the season.

County Stadium was demolished on February 21, Although most of the stadium site is now covered with parking for Miller Park, the site of the old infield was converted into a Little League park, and is now called Helfaer Field. The Packers compiled a County Stadium hosted at least one pre-season game annually during this time as well except , including the Upper Midwest Shrine Game. Financial considerations prompted the Packers to turn to Milwaukee in the s; by after multiple renovations to Lambeau Field , it became more lucrative for the Packers to play their full home slate in Green Bay again for the first time since The Minnesota Vikings 15 times were the Packers' most frequent foe at County Stadium, as the Packers would traditionally host at least one divisional rival from the NFC Central in Milwaukee each season.

Only once, however, did the Packers play their ancient archrivals , the Chicago Bears , in Milwaukee, defeating the Bears in On November 26, , a County Stadium record crowd of 55, saw the Packers beat the Vikings, Coincidentally, Atlanta was Favre's first NFL address in , and the city to which the baseball Braves moved almost three decades earlier. Unlike most publicly-funded stadiums built in the 20th century, County Stadium was built as a baseball stadium that could convert into a football stadium.

While it was initially hoped the stadium would lure the Packers to Milwaukee full-time it was larger than the Packers' then-home, City Stadium , upgrades and seat expansion almost exclusively benefited the Braves and later the Brewers.

It was thus somewhat problematic for football, with only the bare minimum adjustments made to accommodate the sport. The playing surface was just barely large enough to fit a football field. The football field itself ran parallel with the first base line. The south end zone spilled onto the warning track in right field, the north onto foul territory on the third-base side.

Both teams occupied the east sideline on the outfield side, separated by a piece of tape. It seated less than 56, for football, and many seats had obstructed views or were far from the field. The University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee football team also called County Stadium home until the team disbanded following the season. The Chicago Sting, a North American Soccer League franchise played a series of exhibition games at the stadium in anticipation of a permanent move which never materialized.

County Stadium was also a popular home for concerts throughout its history. Bob Hope performed for fans during a Braves doubleheader in Following the concert, the Brewers complained that the fans destroyed the field. The damage was, in fact, less than that which typically occurred during Green Bay Packers football games.

Also in , Pink Floyd performed at County Stadium. An urban legend has sprung up around this show - according to legend, the dark and brooding clouds parted and revealed a brilliant moon just as the band was launching into the line "I'll see you on the dark side of the moon. Pink Floyd returned to County Stadium in , drawing an estimated 60, The Jehovah's Witnesses held an annual convention including well known annual themes such as: "Good News for all Nations" and 'Peace on Earth" in the Stadium during the s and s, drawing as many as 57, people at a time.

For four seasons, through , the Packers were the only tenant at the stadium, as the Braves moved to Atlanta. Baseball returned to Milwaukee in when the Seattle Pilots moved to the city and became the Brewers. The Packers played nearly half of their home games at County Stadium for 41 years. In order for football to be played at the stadium, the bleachers behind the left field wall were moved into the playing area in left field.

The gridiron was laid out over the infield and right field. Because of the field configuration, both football teams had to share the same sideline. A state of the art Miller High scoreboard was located in right field with a Longines clock on top. In order for the baseball diamond to become a football gridiron, the bleachers behind the left field wall were moved into the playing area in left field.

With soaring attendance at County Stadium, the grandstands that were single decked down the foul lines were double decked by the season, increasing the capacity to 43, Trees were planted in the batters backdrop in centerfield and a picnic area known as the Braves Reservation was added between the outfield bleachers in By attendance at County Stadium began to drop and when new owner, William Bartholomay, purchased the club in he began looking to move the team.

On March 5, the Braves announced they would move to Atlanta after the season. Without baseball, the Packers were the only main tenant and they only played half of their games at County Stadium. Selig was able to get White Sox owner Arthur Allyn to bring his club to County Stadium and play 20 home games throughout the and seasons where they were a hit at the box office. MLB did not grant Milwaukee an expansion franchise in and Selig purchased the financially struggling Seattle Pilots and moved them to Milwaukee for the season.

County Stadium became known for its mascot Bernie the Brewer, his beer barrel, chalet and slide that was added in behind the bleachers in centerfield.