Paterson, NJ

Paterson sits on the banks of the Passaic River in northeastern New Jersey. It is located roughly 15 miles north of Newark and approximately 18 miles northwest of New York City. Paterson is known for its Great Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in the country. Among the most densely populated cities in the nation, Paterson has a population of roughly 149,000 residents.

Despite decades of relatively high unemployment and crime rates, in recent years Paterson has remained a destination for immigrants from around the world; indeed, nearly a third of the city's residents are foreign-born. As a result, Paterson has a wide range of small businesses and plenty of cultural diversity.

COMMUNITIES

According to recent studies, more than half of Paterson's residents are of Hispanic origin. Puerto Ricans began settling in Paterson in the 1950s, and today there is a sizable Dominican community. Other prominent Hispanic groups in Paterson include immigrants from Mexico, Central America, and South America.

African Americans make up approximately one third of the city's population. Other significant groups include Turkish Americans, Bangladeshis, and Arab Americans. The city celebrates its cultural diversity in a number of ways, such as the countless parades, including a Puerto Rican Day Parade and Turkish-American Day Parade, that take place every summer.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

The nation's first planned industrial city and a major center of silk production for much of the nineteenth century, Paterson is sometimes referred to as "Silk City." Though the city is not the textile giant it once was, the industry is still a significant contributor to the local economy. Health care and manufacturing are also important industries in Paterson.

The city's top employers include St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center, the City of Paterson, William Paterson University and Marcal Paper Products.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

• Central Heights: This district encompasses a picturesque area around the Passaic River and Garrett Mountain. It includes the Great Falls Historic District, the most famous neighborhood in Paterson, and Stoney Road. Also in Central Heights are Lambert Castle, Alexander Hamilton's Society for the Establishment of Useful Manufactures, Garrett Mountain Reservation, and Overlook Park. The city has attempted to revitalize the area in recent years, primarily through the conversion of old industrial buildings into apartments and retail spaces.
• Downtown: Downtown is home to the city's main commercial district. In recent years, many historic buildings in this area have either been in serious disrepair or abandoned. The boundaries between the downtown area and Central Heights are often blurred. Downtown also includes the neighborhoods of Dublin, Little Italy, Little Lima, Wrigley Park, and Northside. City Hall, the mosque Masjid Jalalabad, and the Passaic County Courthouse Annex are all located in Downtown.
• Eastside: This area includes Manor Section, Eastside Park, Sandy Hill, and People Park/21st Avenue. The city's largest park, Eastside Park, is also located in this area. In recent years, gentrification has begun to occur in the neighborhood and some of the area's historic houses have been restored after years of neglect.
• Totowa: Popular with Bengladeshi and Italian immigrants, the Totowa area is in the hilly northwest portion of Paterson.
• Hillcrest: This neighborhood is a desirable residential area.
• South Paterson: This district includes Little Arabia/Little Istanbul and Lakeview. As one might guess, many Arab Americans choose to settle in this neighborhood.

GOING OUT

In spite of its proximity to New York, Paterson has its own thriving club scene:

• Roxxies
• Johnny A's Hitching Post
• Casa Montego
• Slappy's
• Bacchus Night Club
• Cabaret Go-Go
• Lace
• Fiesta

EDUCATION

Paterson's public schools belong to what the New Jersey Department of Education calls an "Abbott District," a designation indicating a poor urban district dependent on aid from the state.

Because of the large and diverse Arab-American population of Paterson, the city's public schools observe Muslim holidays.

Passaic County Community College is based in Paterson and accommodates approximately 7,000 students.

SPORTS TEAMS

Hinchliffe Stadium, which is now on the National Register of Historic Places, was the home of two Negro League baseball teams, the New York Black Yankees and New York Cubans, during the 1930s and much of the 1940s. The stadium, which sits atop Great Falls, is one of the few Negro League stadiums left standing in the United States; however, the stadium hasn't been used since the 1990s and is currently in a state of disrepair. Efforts to revitalize Hinchliffe Stadium are ongoing, and Friends of Hinchcliffe Stadium, a volunteer organization, is working to preserve and breathe new life into the historic stadium.

LOCAL MEDIA

Spanish-language network WXTV, Channel 41, is licensed in Paterson, and serves the New York City metro area. WPAT 930 AM and 93.1 FM, both licensed in Paterson, broadcast Spanish-language music and programming.

FUN FACTS

• The Colt Paterson revolver began production in Paterson in the 1830s.
• Paterson was home to the state's first water-powered cotton spinning mill.
• You may not think of New Jersey when you think of submarines, but it was in Paterson that John Holland designed and tested his first submarines.