Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States New Jersey Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
AO Edited

Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park

In the power of this waterfall, Alexander Hamilton saw the potential for industry.

Paterson, New Jersey

Added By
Stephen Gale
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
The view from standing just across from the falls edge.   babblefu / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
Majestic Falls.   Julius Spada / Atlas Obscura User
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park   babblefu / Atlas Obscura User
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park   babblefu / Atlas Obscura User
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park   babblefu / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Settled in the midst of an industrial city is a magnificent natural treasure: Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. The namesake waterfall is a  77-foot-tall raging cascade on the Passaic River, and a wonderful oasis among the Paterson cityscape. 

The industrial value of this fall was recognized by Alexander Hamilton, who saw its potential for water power as being an American answer to the British industrial revolution. He hired Pierre Charles L'Enfant (who also designed the layout of the new capital city, Washington, D.C.) to design a system of canals that would power the town's watermills.

The result was America's first planned industrial city. Cotton and wool mills were the first industries to operate in Paterson, eventually joined by manufacturers of other things including locomotives, paper, rope, hemp, and firearms. At the city's peak production in the 1890s, it was widely known for its silk mills.

A statue of Hamilton commemorates his vision for this national natural landmark. Today, the park offers visitors views from multiple levels.

Related Tags

History Natural Wonders Waterfalls

Know Before You Go

The parking lot is often fairly full but there are usually a couple of spots available. If not just wait, visitation turnover is reasonably quick.

There is a pathway that brings you right up to the raging falls, but occasionally, the bridge along this pathway is closed for repair. If that is the case, visitors can walk along Wayne Ave and access the falls from the backside.

Community Contributors

Added By

babblefu

Edited By

Collector of Experiences, Julius Spada, causeiwander

  • Collector of Experiences
  • Julius Spada
  • causeiwander

Published

May 2, 2022

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
72 McBride Ave
72 McBride Ave, Paterson, NJ 07501
Paterson, New Jersey, 07501
United States
40.914956, -74.180041
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Radburn, New Jersey

Fair Lawn, New Jersey

miles away

Clifton's Gates of Hell

Clifton, New Jersey

miles away

Glen Rock

Glen Rock, New Jersey

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of New Jersey

New Jersey

United States

Places 158
Stories 33

Nearby Places

Radburn, New Jersey

Fair Lawn, New Jersey

miles away

Clifton's Gates of Hell

Clifton, New Jersey

miles away

Glen Rock

Glen Rock, New Jersey

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of New Jersey

New Jersey

United States

Places 158
Stories 33

Related Places

  • Sand falling off the coastal shelf creates the illusion of an underwater waterfall.

    Le Morne, Mauritius

    Underwater 'Waterfall'

    Dive into an undersea optical illusion off the coast of Mauritius.

  • Rock Falls

    Sicily Island, Louisiana

    Rock Falls

    Louisiana's tallest waterfall is only a short hike away from the middle of nowhere.

  • Telephoto view of the north falls, May 2019.

    Twin Falls, Idaho

    Twin Falls Waterfall

    One of the "twins" in these falls on the Snake River was sacrificed for hydropower generation in the 1930s.

  • Quedas de Calandula

    Calandula, Angola

    Quedas de Calandula

    This horseshoe-shaped waterfall is the second-largest on the African continent.

  • Winona, Missouri

    Rocky Falls

    A 40-foot waterfall flows into this unique natural swimming hole.

  • The falls on an average day.

    Elm Creek, Kansas

    Alcove Springs

    One of the stops along the fateful journey of the Donner Party.

  • Falls Creek Falls.

    Magnet Cove, Arkansas

    Falls Branch Creek Falls

    Home to a seasonal waterfall and swimming hole in the Ouachita Mountains.

  • Sa Stiddiosa

    Gadoni, Italy

    Sa Stiddiosa

    Greenery covers the face of a gently-dripping waterfall deep in the mountains of central Sardinia.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.