The Great Falls of Paterson
The Great Falls of Paterson was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1967, and then, together with the surrounding area, was designated a National Historic Landmark District on May 11, 1976. Today the 119-acre Great Falls Historic District is a National Historic Park, having received that designation as The Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park on November 7, 2011.
Mary Ellen Kramer, the wife of former Paterson Mayor Lawrence “Pat” Kramer, was a strong advocate of the preservation and restoration of many of Paterson’s historic sites. Mary Ellen Kramer Park is named in commemoration of her idea and dedicated work. Mrs. Kramer also was instrumental in the designation and development of the Great Falls National Historic Landmark.
The Park is located adjacent to the Great Falls and just below Hinchliffe Stadium, and offers visitors an opportunity to get close to the face of the Great Falls. Although the area has been a public park since the 1770s, it was closed during World War II for strategic reasons and remained closed until the 1970s. Today, it is an integral part of the District and the National Historic Park.
To visit the Great Falls on a warm, sunny day is not only an idea for a great day trip but is truly a trip into recent and ancient history of our region.
An early postcard depicting the Great Paterson Falls in full color at the turn of the twentieth century.
Photo of the Paterson Falls during the latter part of the nineteenth century as seen from Morris Mountain looking north. 2004
Depiction of the upper Paterson Falls completely covered with ice.
Statue of Alexander Hamilton overlooking the Great Falls… His visit in 1778 and again in 1792 inspired him to work for the establishment of Paterson to be America’s first planned industrial city.
This photo shows the current position of the “pump house” in which the water from the falls was obtained and collected from the Passaic River at the foot of the falls and then converted the energy to be used for industrial use.