Paterson

Paterson is a county seat in Passaic County, located in northern New Jersey along the Passaic River. Downtown sits around a waterfall that cuts through sandstone cliffs and feeds a system of canals that once powered turbines and machinery.

The city began in the late 18th century as a planned industrial settlement and took its name from the governor who signed its charter. Silk mills and locomotive works dominated the economy for more than a century before manufacturing gradually moved away and the population changed.

The name honors William Paterson, who served as governor of New Jersey and helped draft the United States Constitution. The city grew along the river gorge, where mills and factories defined the streetscape and red brick industrial buildings still line several neighborhoods today.

The waterfall area is easy to reach during daylight, with footpaths running along the cliff and across bridges. Some parts of the city are less suited for wandering, so it helps to check which areas are visitor friendly before exploring.

An old baseball stadium from the Negro Leagues era still stands, though it sat empty for a long time and only later opened to visitors. The grandstands and field recall an era when Black athletes formed their own leagues and played before crowds here.

Location: Passaic County

Inception: 1792

Elevation above the sea: 32 m

Shares border with: Woodland Park, Totowa, Elmwood Park, Fair Lawn, Haledon, Prospect Park, Hawthorne, Clifton

Website: https://patersonnj.gov

GPS coordinates: 40.91677,-74.17181

Latest update: December 14, 2025 23:21