75 years later: the tragic fire that shaped the Packers’ legacy at Rockwood Lodge
Today marks the 75th Anniversary of the infamous fire at Rockwood Lodge.
Rockwood Lodge was an important place for the Packers from 1946 to 1950. It was originally built in 1937 as a spot for the Norbortine Order, a group of Catholic monks.
In 1946, Curly Lambeau, the Packers’ manager and coach, purchased the Lodge for $32,000—a significant expense for an off-site sports facility on the shores of Green Bay at the time. He made numerous improvements, transforming it into the first specialized training facility for professional football players in sports history.
Calvin Jones, a star Nebraska RB who won a Super Bowl with Green Bay, dies at 54
At the time Lambeau purchased the Lodge, it was very modern. However, some people, including Packers fans and staff, were unhappy because it cost a lot of money, was almost 15 miles from Green Bay, and the practice field was not in good condition.
On January 24, 1950, the Lodge burned down. The fire was likely caused by bad electrical wiring or lighting since there was an unusual winter thunderstorm that day. Schools were closed due to the high winds and dangerous weather conditions.
According to a Green Bay Press-Gazette article from January 25, 1950, a four-man fire crew from the Duquaine Lumber Company arrived around 2:00 p.m. to extinguish the fire. A fire truck from the neighboring community of Preble had broken down on icy roads just two miles from the engulfed lodge.
After the fire, the Packers received $75,000 from insurance, which helped restore the team’s financial stability. This led to theories that the fire might have been arson, with some members of the public believing the Packers were in desperate need of money.
The fields around the lodge were in poor condition, making it difficult for the team to practice. The rough terrain led to injuries during practice, prompting Lambeau to move the team’s sessions back to City Stadium.
Calvin Jones, a star Nebraska RB who won a Super Bowl with Green Bay, dies at 54
Players began referring to the area as “The Rock” because the field was so hard. This struggle with practice conditions played a significant role in the Packers’ decline after their 1944 NFL title victory. Within just five years, the team had dropped to a 2-10 record, marking their worst season in franchise history at the time.
Just a week after the fire, Curly Lambeau left the Packers saying there was not enough agreement between him and the team’s board of directors. He had turned down a new contract that would have stripped him of all non-football duties but did not retire from the sport, moving on to coach in Chicago.
The Rockwood Lodge site was laid vacant until the late 60s, before being purchased by Brown County and turned into a public park.
