Welcome to Paterson, New Jersey, the "Silk City"!

Paterson, NJ, known as the "Silk City" because of its lead role in silk production in the United States in the mid-19th century, is steeped in history traced back to Alexander Hamilton.

EarthCam and the City of Paterson proudly present a live view of the "Great Falls" that powered the 18th century manufacturing example of utilizing natural resources for industrial development and urban planning

In 1791 Hamilton was one of the founders of the "Society for the Establishment of Useful Manufactures" which sought to utilize the energy from the spectacular "Great Falls." The Passaic River falls are second only to Niagara in volume, width and force on the United States east coast, dropping over a rocky ledge 77 feet to the basin below. With the idea to harness the power of the crashing waters Hamilton and the society enlisted Pierre Charles'L'Enfant, who is famous for planning and engineering the layout of Washington, D.C., to create the falls- driven power source. Paterson was the first American community integrating water-power into its economic infrastructure on a large scale.

The resulting abundance of water and steam energy attracted entrepreneurs from around the country earning Paterson the reputation according to many historians of being "The Cradle of American Industry." The textile industry was one of the earliest to develop making it the nation's center for silk. As a result of its Mid-19th century dominance it is still referred to as the "Silk City."

But silk and textiles were not Paterson's only claim to fame. Industries taking advantage of the power and location included manufacturers of Colt revolvers, flax, jute, steam locomotives and early Wright Aircraft Engines among many others. Several old mill buildings have been renovated and are now used as offices, living space, cultural facilities and schools.

The 119-acre "Great Falls Area" was declared a historic landmark by President Gerald R. Ford during a visit in 1976, designated an official New Jersey State Park in 2004 and was designated a U.S. National Park in March, 2009.

City of Paterson Great Falls Center provides educational tours tracing the role of the falls "in U.S History."

For more information, please visit our affiliate at www.patersonnj.gov.