Paterson is one of the largest towns in Passaic County, and can be found along the Passaic River in northeastern NJ. It is a wonderful town to grow up in and cannot be beat when it comes to arts and culture. Paterson is a wonderfully diverse town that allows you meet people of all cultures and ethnicities. The town is full of beautiful architecture, wonderful parks, and tons of historical landmarks to see and learn about. I take pride in living and serving my community. I am proud that our town has a rich and interesting historical story behind it.
EARLY HISTORY
Paterson was originally inhabited by the Acquackanonk tribe of the Lenape, also known as the Delaware Indians. At that time Paterson was a small part of what was known as Lenapehoking. Later, the Dutch claimed that land calling it New Netherlands. Then, the British gained control of that land, claiming it as the Province of New Jersey.
The town of Paterson’s creation began after the American Revolution in 1792, when Alexander Hamilton founded and invested in a group known as the Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures (SUM). The funds provided to SUM would be used to develop an industrial city in the United States. It was Hamilton’s belief the United States needed to reduce its dependency on foreign goods and focus on creating its own goods. The industries created in Paterson were focused around it's unique geography, a 77-foot high waterfall known as the Great Falls of the Passaic that the provided power. The town originally included several mill buildings and manufacturing structures for textiles. Later, manufacturing of firearms, silk, and railroad locomotives would be done here as well. Paterson was named after William Paterson, who was Governor of New Jersey at the time. William Paterson signed the charter in 1792 to establish the Town of Paterson.
INDUSTRIES OF PATERSON
Throughout its history, Paterson has become one of the main destinations for immigrants looking for factory work, because of its many industries.
- Cotton mills were created
- Samuel Colt produced fire arms
- Experiments with submarines were performed by John Philip Halland
- The brewing industry took off forming Paterson Consolidated Brewing Company
- Paterson becomes known for its large role in silk production, earning the name of the silk city
- Creation of Hinchliffe Stadium, an Art Deco concrete stadium
- Aircraft engine industry during WWII
- Williams Paterson Collage is established
PATERSON TODAY
Today, Paterson has a healthy population of around 146,199 making it one of the 3rd most populous cities in NJ. Paterson is a city of growth and ingenuity. Over the years, Paterson has changed with the times, finding a new way to reinvent itself with each new industry the city took on. Paterson has always been a melting pot when it comes to diversity. Hard working immigrants came from all over to find work and help create the Paterson we know and love today. These immigrants made Paterson their home, and all their cultures brought together make Paterson a special place to live and work. Paterson is an exceptional town full of history and beauty, and I am glad to be a part of it.