Paterson, New Jersey

Paterson is the county seat of Passaic County in northern New Jersey. Covering 8.73 sq mi (22.6 sq km), it has a population of 146,000 people (2011 estimate), making it the third largest city in the state, and among the largest in the New York City Metropolitan Area.

Paterson, New Jersey
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Downtown-paterson-nj2.jpg
Author: BJT11091


Alexander Hamilton is instrumental in the founding of Paterson. In 1791, he founded the Society for the Establishment of Useful Manufactures so that Americans can manufacture their own products and eliminate dependence on British manufacturers. The American manufacturers built mills to tap the energy of the Great Falls of the Passaic River, and sited their mills in the area. It was named in honor of William Paterson, the Governor of New Jersey who signed the town charter in 1792.

The first planner of Paterson was Pierre Charles L'Enfant, the architect who also designed Washington DC. The city grew largely due to the power harnessed from the 77-foot high Great Falls, its energy needs almost entirely dependent on the falls until 1914.

One of the predominant industries in Paterson from the second half of the 19th century was silk production. It was so closely tied to Paterson that the city became known as Silk City. In the early days, laborers worked long hours under often dangerous working conditions, and they were housed in deplorable tenement buildings around the mills. Displeasure over the working condition manifested itself in the six-month long strike of 1913, sporadic labor unrests, and the 1919 bombings by anarchists.

Great Falls of the Passaic River
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Great-falls-passaic.jpg
Author: Dmadeo


Paterson suffered a decline in its local economy in the post World War II decades, reflected in high unemployment, the moving away of the more upwardly mobile white population, and the settling in of low-income immigrants.

Visiting Paterson

From Manhattan, take Interstate 95 west and continue on Interstate 80 at Exit 69.

Places of Interest in Paterson

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