Here are the Great Falls in Paterson, NJ, essentially the falls are the only reason the city of Paterson was founded. Alexander Hamilton saw the potential of harnessing the river's power for industrial purposes, the Passaic River could then float products down the river to Newark and then over to New York City or farther away by ship if need be. Hence was born the first planned industrial city in the United States.
We came to the falls after a couple of days of rain on April 24th, 2012, but still the river was at a relatively low flow, you can see that even at low flow there is substantial power being generated by the falls.
The bridge photographed is carrying a pipe across the gorge.
The hydroelectric plant, it does not draw its power directly from the falls as you might think, rather water is diverted to the plant prior to reaching the falls in a controlled flow. The plant is still producing electricity.
S.U.M. - The Society for Useful Manufacturers, currently a city office for the maitnenace of the park and to maintain the utility (the hydroelectricity)
As anyone who is familiar with history would expect, the obligatory statue to Alexander Hamilton.
Looking down the Passaic River from the Falls.
The love of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia has placed a reverence for old bells in our collective national consciousness.
The bell from a greater distance.
Here we can see the pipeline crossing the river.
Great Falls monument to: Captain Eric M. Graupe
The bridge fenced so high you know that somebody must've jumped. Unfortunate but such places are attractive nuisances to those in crisis.
Looking at the falls from the Paterson side of the river looking into Haledon.
From the Haledon side of the river looking back at the Passaic River just before it makes its plunge.
Harry B. Haines? Harry B. Haines Memorial Park was dedicated to the long time editor and publisher of the Morning/Evening News Harry B. Haines (1882 – 1972) who fought successfully to bring historic recognition to Paterson’s Great Falls as the Cradle of Industrialization in the Western Hemisphere. OH! THAT Harry B. Haines.
Here we see the falls, this time from the Haledon side of the river looking upriver, note the falls, note the smaller falls a little further upstream used to divert the water and beyond that the bridge between Paterson and Haledon at Wayne Avenue and McBride.
