When County Stadium fell to the wrecking ball a quarter‑century ago, the loss was felt across the Midwest, not just for its role as the home of the Milwaukee Braves, the Green Bay Packers and the Milwaukee Brewers, but because it represented an early experiment in publicly funded sports venues.
Remembering County Stadium
The venue, which opened in 1953, was the first ballpark financed by public money and quickly became a cultural touchstone, hosting everything from the Rolling Stones to Pink Floyd and gracing the inaugural cover of Sports Illustrated.
Collecting the Past
A small but passionate group of enthusiasts keeps the stadium’s story alive through tangible relics. Steven Radmer and Steve Solmonson have amassed a trove of items ranging from the eight‑foot‑tall letters that once spelled ‘Milwaukee County Stadium’ to original turnstiles, blueprints and a weathered ‘men’ bathroom sign.
Their collections are more than personal souvenirs; they have been offered to institutions such as the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the National World War II Museum, ensuring that the stadium’s narrative reaches a broader audience.
The letters, which Radmer once sold to the Brewers organization, now sit in a place whose purpose remains unclear, while Solmonson’s donations illustrate how individual passion can bridge local history with national heritage.
Despite its functional flaws — outfields prone to waterlogging and concourses described as dingy — the stadium’s charm endures in the memories of those who attended its games and concerts, a charm that continues to inspire collectors and historians alike.