Plunging 77 feet into a chasm 300 feet wide, the Great Falls of the Passaic River have long been a source of inspiration and power. The history of Paterson includes its beginnings as the ambitious project of Alexander Hamilton; the development of water power systems for industrial use; and the various types of manufacturing that occurred in the city’s mills, including those related to cotton, locomotives, textile machinery, jute, and silk spinning, among many others. The Great Falls also represent the compelling stories of immigrants who labored in the mills; of those who owned and operated the mills; and of laborers who fought for better working conditions and pay. Immigrants still settle today in Paterson to pursue their versions of Hamilton’s vision, creating a diverse and vibrant culture.
Paterson New Jersey United States
