• Paterson Great Falls

    Paterson Great Falls

    National Historical Park New Jersey

A Revolutionary Idea

Cotton & silk for clothing; locomotives for travel; paper for books & writing letters; Lucky Lindy's plane engine. What do they have in common? They all came from the same place!

In 1791, Paterson, America's first planned industrial city, was established, centered around the Great Falls of the Passaic River. From humble mills would rise industries that changed the face of the United States.

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Did You Know?

Portrait of William Paterson by James Sharples, Sr

The city of Paterson was named for William Paterson, the governor of New Jersey who signed the charter for S.U.M.? The city was named before a site for it was chosen! More...