Paterson, New Jersey
PATERSON, NEW JERSEY
Historical Significance
The City of Paterson is widely recognized as the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution. In 1791, Alexander Hamilton helped found the Society of Establishing Useful Manufacturers (S.U.M.) with the intent of harnessing the power of the Great Falls of the Passaic River to increase domestic production in the newly formed United States of America. The city was formally chartered in 1792. In the following decades, a series of raceways were constructed to direct water from the waterfall to power newly constructed mill factories.
In the years that followed, the power generated by the Great Falls allowed for Paterson to become the cradle of the industrial revolution in America. The city became a central point of the firearm, silk, and railroad locomotive
manufacturing industries. Silk production eventually became the city’s dominant industry, earning it the
nickname “Silk City”. The value of the city as a manufacturing hub was further enhanced given the ease of access
to New York City via the Passaic River.
Investments in the Local Area
Hinchliffe Stadium
Bordering the Great Falls Lofts to the south, Hinchliffe Stadium is one of two remaining Negro Leagues stadiums in the United States. Sitting vacant for decades, the $94 million redevelopment of Hinchliffe, financed in part by Goldman Sachs, commenced in June 2021. In addition to redeveloping the stadium into a 7,800-seat athletic facility, the project will include a 12,000 SF restaurant and museum, a 315-car parking garage, and a 75-unit affordable senior housing building.
Great Falls National Historic Park
The Great Falls Historic Park is home to North America’s second largest waterfall by volume east of the Mississippi River. In recent years, the Park’s recognition as a national historic landmark has led to an increase in tourism. attraction to the park has increased as its recognition as a national historic landmark has grown. The Park will soon undergo a $47.7 million restoration which will include the construction of a $15.1 million 270-car parking garage, a $8.1 million downtown youth center, and a $24.5 million Hamilton Visitor Center. The Hamilton Visitor Center will connect to the top of the Great Falls via a new riverwalk. This will provide a direct connection from the Great Falls Historic Park to the Great Falls Lofts.
Vista Park
Abutting the Great Falls Lofts to the east, Vista Park sits atop the Great Falls and provides views of both Paterson and the New York City skyline. The 8.4-acre property was acquired by the NJDEP’s Green Acres Program in 2016. Through grants and subsidies, there is a $3 million renovation plan to preserve and enhance the natural and cultural resources and values of the Vista Park property. This renovation is set to commence in the near future and once complete, the Park will serve as the last stop of the Great Falls Historic Park’s new riverwalk.
