Paterson, New Jersey

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The skyline of Paterson, New Jersey, showing the canyon of the Passaic River in the foreground. The area along the river was formerly the site of most the mills that flourished throughout the city's history.
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The skyline of Paterson, New Jersey, showing the canyon of the Passaic River in the foreground. The area along the river was formerly the site of most the mills that flourished throughout the city's history.
The Great Falls of the Passaic River in Paterson, which are the second-highest large-volume falls on the East Coast of the United States.
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The Great Falls of the Passaic River in Paterson, which are the second-highest large-volume falls on the East Coast of the United States.

Paterson is a city in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2000 Census, the city population was 149,222. Census population projections indicate a population of 154,463 as of 2005, making it New Jersey's third largest city. It is the county seat of Passaic CountyGR6. Paterson is known as the Silk City for its dominant role in silk production during the latter 19th century.

Contents

[edit] History

In 1791, Alexander Hamilton helped found the Society for the Establishment of Useful Manufactures (S.U.M.), which helped encourage the harnessing of energy from the Great Falls of the Passaic, to secure economic independence from British manufacturers. Paterson, which was founded by the society, became the cradle of the industrial revolution in America. Paterson was named for William Paterson, Governor of New Jersey, statesman, and signer of the Constitution.

French architect, engineer, and city planner Pierre L'Enfant, who developed the plans for Washington, D.C., was the first superintendent for the S.U.M. project. He devised a plan, which would harness the power of the Great Falls through a channel in the rock and an aqueduct. However, the society's directors felt he was taking too long and was over budget. He was replaced by Peter Colt, who used a less-complicated reservoir system to get the water flowing to factories in 1794. Eventually, Colt's system developed some problems and a scheme resembling L'Enfant's original plan was used after 1846. L'Enfant, meanwhile, brought his city plans with him when he designed Washington, and that city's layout resembles the plan he wanted to develop for Paterson.

The industries developed in Paterson were powered by the 77-foot high Great Falls, and a system of water raceways that harnessed the power of the falls. The city began growing around the falls and until 1914 the mills were powered by the waterfalls. The district originally included dozens of mill buildings and other manufacturing structures associated with the textile industry and later, the firearms, silk, and railroad locomotive manufacturing industries. In the latter half of the 1800s, silk production became the dominant industry and formed the basis of Paterson's most prosperous period, earning it the nickname "Silk City." In 1835, Samuel Colt began producing firearms in Paterson, although within a few years he moved his business to Hartford, Connecticut. Later in the 19th century, Paterson was the site of early experiments with submarines by inventor John Holland. Two of Holland's early models — one found at the bottom of the Passaic River — are on display in the Paterson Museum, housed in a former mill near the Passaic Falls.

The city was a mecca for immigrant laborers who worked in its factories as well. Paterson was also the site of historic labor unrest that focused on anti-child labor legislation, and the six-month long Paterson silk strike of 1913 that demanded the eight-hour day and better working conditions, but was defeated by the employers with workers forced to return under pre-strike conditions. Factory workers labored long hours for low wages under dangerous conditions and lived in crowded tenement buildings around the mills. The factories then moved south where there were no labor unions and later overseas.

In 1932, Paterson opened Hinchliffe Stadium, a 7,500-seat stadium named in honor of John V. Hinchliffe, a former Paterson mayor. Hinchliffe originally served as the site for high school and semi-professional athletic events. From 1933 to 1945, Hinchliffe became the home of the New York Black Yankees of the Negro National League, as well as the venue for many football games, track and field events, boxing matches and shows, including those done by Abbott and Costello. In the 1970s, Paterson Public Schools acquired the stadium and utilized it for public school events until the 1997. Currently, Hinchliffe stadium is in a state of disrepair. However, Hinchliffe is one of only two Negro League stadiums left standing in the United States.

World War II helped a little, when Paterson played an important part in the aircraft engine industry. By the end of WWII however there was a decline in urban areas and Paterson was no exception. Since the 1970s the city has been plagued with high unemployment rates. By 1980, Paterson was one of the most distressed cities in the United States. The city no longer has a single movie theater or a motor vehicles office, its major department stores have closed, and the social indices of despair — childhood AIDS, unemployment, homelessness, illiteracy, and graduation rates — all moved in the wrong direction during the unrivaled prosperity of the 1990s economic boom. The failing schools have since been taken over by the state.

Once a premier shopping and leisure destination of northern New Jersey, competition from the malls in upscale neighboring towns like Wayne and Paramus have forced the big-chain stores out of Paterson’s downtown. The biggest industries are now the small businesses because the factories have moved overseas. However the city still, as always, attracts many immigrants. Many of these immigrants have revived the city's economy especially through small businesses.

The downtown area was struck by massive fires several times, the most recent of which occurred in 1991. In this fire, a near full city block (bordered on the north and south by Main and Washington Street and on the east and west by Ellison Street and College Boulevard, a stretch of Van Houten Street that is dominated by Passaic County Community College) was engulfed in flames due to an electrical fire in the basement of a bar. The area was so badly damaged that most of the burned buildings were demolished, with an outdoor mall standing in their place. The most notable of the buildings to be destroyed was the Meyer Brothers department store, which was one of the few remaining department stores in the city.

[edit] Geography

Map of Paterson in Passaic County
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Map of Paterson in Passaic County

Paterson is located at 40°54′56″N, 74°9′47″W (40.915498, -74.162927)GR1 in the Piedmont region between the Appalachian foothills and the Coastal Plain.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.6 km² (8.7 mi²). 21.9 km² (8.4 mi²) of it is land and 0.8 km² (0.3 mi²) of it (3.32%) is water.

[edit] The City

[edit] Neighborhoods

Market Street, Downtown Paterson
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Market Street, Downtown Paterson

The Great Falls Historic District is the most famous neighborhood in Paterson, because of the landmark Great Falls of the Passaic River. The city has attempted to revitalize the area in recent years, including the installation of period lamp posts and the conversion of old industrial buildings into apartments and retail. Many artists live in this section of Paterson. A major redevelopment project is planned for this district in the coming years. The Paterson Museum and Lambert Castle are situated in this neighborhood.

Downtown Paterson is the main commercial district of the city and was once a shopping mecca for northern New Jersey. After a devastating fire in 1902, the city rebuilt the downtown with massive Beaux-Arts-style buildings, many of which remain to this day. These buildings are usually four to seven stories tall. Downtown Paterson is home to City Hall and the Passaic County Courthouse Annex, two of the city's architectural landmarks. City Hall was designed by the New York firm Carrere and Hastings in 1894 and is modeled after the Hôtel de Ville (city hall) in Lyon, France, capital of the silk industry in Europe.

Located on Van Houten Street you will find a massive Mosque, Masjid Jalalabad, which can accommodate 1,500 worshippers. Next to the mosque is a bengali ethnic store where one can find Halal meat, fish, Bengali Groceries and more.

As with many other old downtown districts in the United States, Downtown Paterson suffered as shoppers and retailers moved to the suburban shopping malls of the region. Many historic buildings are in disrepair or are abandoned after years of neglect. In addition, Downtown Paterson is an Urban Enterprise Zone. Today, Downtown Paterson is a mishmash of a variety of discount shops that hum on the congested streets. The city has, in recent years, begun initiatives in hopes of reviving the downtown area. A project called the Center City project will convert a downtown parking lot into a commercial and entertainment center with office space. Downtown Paterson is located in the city's 1st Ward.

Eastside Park is a residential neighborhood east of downtown. Once the home of the city's industrial and political leaders, the neighborhood experienced a significant downturn as industry fled Paterson. In recent years, people have begun moving back into the neighborhood and are restoring some of the area's historic houses. The Eastside Park Historic District, a state- and nationally-registered historic place, is situated in this neighborhood. The jewel of the neighborhood is Eastside Park and the mansions that surround it. In addition, this section of Paterson once had a large Jewish population and there is still a synagogue left. Eastside Park and what is commonly known as the Upper Eastside is located in Paterson's 3rd Ward.

Manor Section is a residential neighborhood in Paterson. It is located east of East 33rd Street, north of Broadway and south-west of Route 20 and the Passaic River. The Manor section of Paterson is located in the city's 3rd Ward.

South Paterson is a diverse neighborhood with a significant Arab as well as Turkish, Persian, and Hispanic community centered south of Montclair Avenue. The majority of the city's Arabs live in this section of Paterson. Many of the retail shops and restaurants cater to this community. The neighborhood is also characterized by halal meat markets which offer goat and lamb, and shop signs in Arabic. South Paterson is located in the city's 6th Ward.

Hillcrest is a large mostly residential, middle class enclave, to the west of the downtown area. Its borders' limits are Preakness Avenue to the east, Cumberland Avenue to the west and Totowa Avenue along with West Side Park and the Passaic River to the south. Hillcrest is one of Paterson's most desirable neighborhoods. The Hillcrest section of Paterson is located in the city's 2nd Ward

People's Park is a vibrant neighborhood located north of 23rd Avenue and South of Market Street.

Twenty-First Avenue or "La Ventiuno" as it's known by most of Paterson's Spanish-speaking community, is located in the People's Park section of Paterson, is an active and vibrant retail strip featuring a variety of shops and services catering to a diverse clientèle. Twenty First Avenue used to have a large Italian population. Although there is still a significant Italian presence left in the neighborhood, it also has a large Hispanic population, particularly Colombian.

Wrigley Park or more recently known as the Fourth Ward by most Patersonians, is a neighborhood that has suffered from years of poverty, crime, and neglect. It is mostly African-American. Poverty, crime, open-air drug markets, vacant lots, and boarded-up windows are common in this area. However, there are new houses being built and crime has dropped in recent years. This neighborhood is located north of Broadway.

Sandy Hill is a neighborhood in Paterson located roughly west of Madison Avenue, north of 21st Avenue, south of Park Avenue and east of Straight Street. Due to Paterson's significant population turn-over, this neighborhood is now home to a large Hispanic community, mostly Dominican American. The Sandy Hill section of Paterson is located in the city's 5th Ward. Roberto Clemente Park, which was originally known as Sandy Hill Park is located in this neighborhood.

Northside, located north of Downtown, suffers from some of the social problems currently facing the Wrigley Park neighborhood but to a lesser extent. This neighborhood borders Haledon and Prospect Park and it is known for its hills and having sweeping views of New York City. The Northside section of Paterson is located in the city's 1st Ward.

Totowa Section is a large neighborhood located west of the Passaic River, south-west of West Broadway and north-east of Preakness Avenue. It is mostly Hispanic with a rising Bengali population. A large Italian presence remains in this neighborhood. Many Peruvian and other Latin restaurants and businesses are located on Union Avenue. Colonial Village and Brooks Sloate Terrace are located in this neighborhood. The Totowa Section is located in parts of the 1st and 2nd Wards of Paterson.

Stoney Road is Paterson's most south-west neighborhood, bordering West Paterson to the south and Totowa across the Passaic River to the west. This neighborhood is home to Pennington Park, Hayden Heights, Lou Costello Pool, the reservoir, western Grand Street, Mc Bride Avenue and Garret Heights. The Stoney Road section of Paterson is located in the city's 2nd Ward. A strong Italian presence in remains in this neighborhood.

Riverside is a larger neighborhood in Paterson and, as its name states, this neighborhood is bound by the Passaic River to the north and east, separating the city from Hawthorne and Fair Lawn. Riverside is mostly a quiet working-class neighborhood. The neighborhood is mostly residential with some industrial uses. Madison Avenue cuts through the heart of this district. This section is ethnically diverse with Hispanics living mostly north and along River Street. African Americans and Caribbean blacks live south of River Street. Many Albanians make their home in the East 18th Street and River Street areas. River View Terrace is located in this neighborhood. Riverside is located in parts of the 3rd and 4th Wards of Paterson.

Bunker Hill is a mostly industrial area west of River Street and east of the Passaic River.

Lakeview, situated in the southern part of the city, the Lakeview Section is a middle class neighborhood. Interstate 80 runs north of this district. Lakeview is home to the Paterson Farmers Market, where people from all across North Jersey come to buy fresh produce. The neighborhood consists primarily of Hispanics and African Americans, although this neighborhood also has a sizable White, Middle Eastern and Asian population, including a significant Filipino presence. Lakeview also shares some of the same characteristics as neighboring Clifton as they both share the neighborhood bearing the same name. Lakeview section is one of Paterson's most desirable neighborhoods. The Lakeview section of Paterson is located in the city's 6th Ward.

[edit] Diversity

Paterson is an ethnically diverse city and this diversity is reflected in its many stores and restaurants. Western Market Street is home to many Peruvian businesses. The Great Falls Historic District, Cianci Street, Union Avenue and 21st Avenue has several Italian businesses. To the north of the Great Falls is a fast-growing Bengali population. Park Avenue and Market Street between Straight Street and Madison Avenue is heavily Dominican American and Puerto Rican. Main Street, just south of downtown, is heavily Puerto Rican with a growing Mexican American community. Costa Ricans and other Central American immigrant communities are growing in the Riverside and Peoples Park neighborhoods. Broadway or Martin Luther King Jr. Way is predominately Black, as is the Fourth Ward and parts of Eastside and Northside. Paterson's Black community is made up of African Americans of Southern heritage and more recent Caribbean and African immigrants. Main Street between the Clifton border and about Montclair Avenue is heavily Turkish and Arab. 21st Avenue in the People's Park section is characterized by Colombian and other Latin-American restaurants and shops.

Every summer, Patersonians enjoy an African-American Day Parade, a Peruvian Day Parade, a Dominican Day Parade and a Puerto Rican Day Parade. Paterson is considered by many the capital of the Peruvian Diaspora in the U. S.

[edit] The Suburbs

The following towns border Paterson and are considered to be its suburbs: Prospect Park, Haledon, Totowa, West Paterson, Hawthorne, Clifton, and North Haledon in Passaic County; and Elmwood Park (formerly East Paterson) and Fair Lawn in Bergen County.

Paterson and its suburbs are sometimes known informally as Greater Paterson. The nearby township of Wayne is also considered to be a part of Greater Paterson. Two important Wayne institutions — William Paterson University and St. Joseph's Wayne Hospital — have their origins in 19th century Paterson before moving to suburban Wayne in the 20th century.

Paterson forms part of the Paterson-Clifton-Passaic Metropolitan Area, along with Passaic and Clifton.

[edit] Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 149,222 people, 44,710 households, and 33,353 families residing in the city. With a population density of 6,826.4/km² (17,675.4/mi²), Paterson is the second most densely populated large city (i.e., with a population of 100,000 or more) in the United States, only after New York City. However, this figure is somewhat misleading, since Newark's population density, if its airport and seaport lands are excluded, is significantly higher than Paterson's if they are included. These exceptions make Newark's density slightly higher than that of Paterson, which does not have any such facilities.

There were 47,169 housing units at an average density of 2,157.8/km² (5,587.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 32.90% African American, 30.77% White, 0.60% Native American, 1.90% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 27.60% from other races, and 6.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 50.11% of the population.

There were 44,710 households out of which 40.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.4% were married couples living together, 26.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were non-families. 20.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.25 and the average family size was 3.71.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.8% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,778, and the median income for a family was $35,420. Males had a median income of $27,911 versus $22,733 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,257. About 19.2% of families and 22.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.0% of those under age 18 and 19.1% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Government

[edit] Local government

The City of Paterson Municipal Council was created as a result of a 1974 decision to change its form of government from a 1907 statute-based form, to a Faulkner Act Plan-D Mayor-Council form.

The 1907 statute-based form consisted of various boards. A Board of Aldermen, Board of Finance, Board of Health, Board of Public Works, Board of Fire and Police Commissioners.

The Mayor-Council plan consisted of a Mayor and nine Council members. Six of the members that sit on the Municipal Council represent each of the city's six wards. The three remaining members are members At-Large. The Municipal Council has the responsibility of reviewing and approving Municipal legislation.

Under the Mayor-Council plan, the Mayor is the chief executive and is responsible for administering the City's activities. The Mayor is elected for a four-year term by the citizens and is responsible for them. His function includes enforcing the charter and the ordinances and laws passed by the City Council. The Mayor appoints all department heads including the business administrator, with the advise and consent of the Council He may also remove and or all department heads after giving them notice and an opportunity to be heard.

With the assistance of the business administrator, the Mayor is responsible for preparation of the municipal budget. The Mayor submits the budget to the Council along with a detailed analysis of expenditures and revenues. The Council may reduce any item or items in the budget by a majority vote, but can only increase an item by a two-thirds vote.

The Mayor of Paterson is José "Joey" Torres.

City Council Members are[1]:

  • Kenneth Morris, Jr. - Council President and Councilman At-Large
  • Anthony "Eboney" Davis - First Ward
  • Aslon Goow Sr. - Second Ward
  • William C. McKoy - Third Ward
  • Vera Ames-Garnes - Fourth Ward
  • Juan A. Torres - Fifth Ward
  • Thomas C. Rooney, Jr. - Sixth Ward
  • Rigo Rodriguez - Coucilman At-Large
  • Jeffrey Jones - Councilman At-Large

[edit] Federal, state and county representation

Paterson is in the Eighth Congressional District and is part of New Jersey's 35th Legislative District[2].

New Jersey's Eighth Congressional District, covering the southern portion of Passaic County and northern sections of Essex County, is represented by Bill Pascrell Jr. (D, Paterson). New Jersey is represented in the Senate by Frank Lautenberg (D, Cliffside Park) and Robert Menendez (D, Hoboken).

The 35th legislative district of the New Jersey Legislature is represented in the State Senate by John Girgenti (D) and in the Assembly by Nellie Pou (D, Paterson) and Alfred E. Steele (D, Paterson). The Governor of New Jersey is Jon Corzine (D, Hoboken).

Passaic County's Board of Chosen Freeholders are Freeholder Director Elease Evans of Paterson, Freeholder Deputy Director Sonia Rosado of Ringwood, Terry Duffy of West Milford, James Gallagher of Paterson, Bruce James of Clifton, Pat Lepore of West Paterson and Tahesha Way of Wayne.

[edit] Transportation

Paterson is served by a number of highways: Interstate 80, Route 4, Route 19, and Route 20.

The city is served by the New Jersey Transit Main Line commuter rail service. The line stops in the Downtown area at the Paterson station. Paterson may also receive Hudson-Bergen Light Rail service on the existing NYS&W line, which is currently single-tracked. In addition, the Newark Light Rail may come in time to the existing NJ Transit station.

Bus service to locations in Passaic, Bergen, Essex and Hudson counties is provided by NJ Transit, making the city a regional transit hub. The Broadway Bus Terminal, also downtown, is the terminus for NJ Transit bus lines to Newark and the Port Authority Bus Terminal and George Washington Bridge Bus Station in New York City. City Hall has many buses that stop at or near it, going to various points in the area (including New York and the neighboring communities). Service to Manhattan and shopping centers in Bergen County is also provided by independent bus carriers.

[edit] Education

The Paterson Public Schools serve students in kindergarten through twelfth grade. PPS is an Abbott District.

[edit] Popular culture references

Paterson Falls was featured in season one of The Sopranos in the episode Pax Soprana as the place where Junior Soprano's friend, Capri's grandson committed suicide after taking poor designer drugs. As a favor, Junior Soprano had Mikey Palmice and another individual toss the dealer, Rusty Irish, over the falls.

Paterson is mentioned in the third verse of the Bob Dylan song "Hurricane". The lyrics are "In Paterson that's just the way things go", which refers to the action of the local police force.

[edit] Famous Patersonians

[edit] References

  1. ^ Paterson City Council, accessed September 5, 2006
  2. ^ League of Women Voters: 2006 New Jersey Citizen's Guide to Government, p. 62, accessed August 30, 2006
  3. ^ Rubin "Hurricane" Carter Biography (1937-), accessed November 28, 2006
  4. ^ "«I Sopranos? No agli stereotipi ma non facciamone un dramma» - Federico Castelluccio, il Furio Giunta della celebre serie tv, a Toronto per incontrare gli zii", Corriere Canadese, May 11, 2005
  5. ^ Biography for Lou Costello, accessed November 28, 2006
  6. ^ Paterson Is Making Move to Honor Doby, The New York Times, June 27, 1997

[edit] External links

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Municipalities of Passaic County, New Jersey
(County Seat: Paterson)
Boroughs Bloomingdale | Haledon | Hawthorne | North Haledon | Pompton Lakes | Prospect Park | Ringwood | Totowa | Wanaque | West Paterson
Cities Clifton | Passaic | Paterson
Townships Little Falls | Wayne | West Milford
CDPs and
Communities		 Haskell | Hewitt | Newfoundland | Oak Ridge | Pines Lake


State of New Jersey
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Capital Trenton
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Counties Atlantic | Bergen | Burlington | Camden | Cape May | Cumberland | Essex | Gloucester | Hudson | Hunterdon | Mercer | Middlesex | Monmouth | Morris | Ocean | Passaic | Salem | Somerset | Sussex | Union | Warren
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