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Paterson, New Jersey

"Silk City"

Alexander Hamilton founded Paterson as America's first planned industrial city, harnessing the Great Falls of the Passaic River to power the nation's manufacturing future.

Founded 1792 | Population 161,030 | Peak 161,030 (2024) | County Passaic County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Paterson, New Jersey

1792Hamilton Founds Industrial City: Alexander Hamilton established the Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures (SUM) and chose the Great Falls to power America's first planned industrial city.

1835Silk Manufacturing Capital: Paterson became the silk manufacturing capital of America, earning the nickname 'Silk City' with dozens of mills.

1913Paterson Silk Strike: Over 24,000 silk workers walked off the job in one of the most significant labor actions in American history, supported by the IWW.

1970Great Falls National Park: The Great Falls of the Passaic River — a 77-foot waterfall in the heart of the city — was eventually designated a National Historical Park.

2020Immigration Gateway: Paterson became one of the most diverse cities in America, with large Arabic, Dominican, and Bangladeshi communities.

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Complete Historical Timeline

1792 Industry

Hamilton founds industrial city

1835 Industry

Silk manufacturing capital

1913 Civil Rights

Great silk strike

1945 Industry

Manufacturing begins declining

1970 Culture

Great Falls park movement

2011 Culture

Great Falls National Historical Park

2023 Government

Population exceeds 161,000

Did You Know?

Alexander Hamilton personally chose the Great Falls site for America's first planned industrial city — it's a key scene in the musical 'Hamilton.'.

The 1913 Paterson Silk Strike involved 24,000 workers and is considered one of the most important labor actions in U.S. history.

Paterson's Great Falls is one of the largest waterfalls by volume in the eastern United States — a 77-foot cascade in the middle of a city.

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