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Falling for Paterson Falls

October 13, 2009 01:13 PM ET | Ken Schlager | Permanent Link

Sometimes it pays to heed your own advice. Such was the case on Sunday when I followed a recommendation in the current New Jersey Monthly and took a day trip to Paterson Falls.

Photo by Steve Greer.

I’ve lived in the Montclair area for more than 20 years and often stray into the surrounding towns east, west, and south. But in all this time, I’ve only had one prior occasion to go two towns north to Paterson—and never before to Paterson Falls.

But on Sunday—a mild and sunny Sunday—I couldn’t get anyone in my clan enrolled in one of the more ambitious day trips outlined in the October issue, so I decided to go solo to the Falls. I was well-rewarded.

I had my first glimpse of the plunging water from a parking lot, then walked across McBride Avenue Extension to the Great Falls Historic District Cultural Center, a neat little wooden shack amid the great brick buildings of the industrial area that grew up around the Falls. There I was greeted by Giovanna Cecchetti (“call me Joanne, it’s easier”), a delightful part-time employee of Paterson’s department of community development, who advised me how to best enjoy the visit.

I started with a stroll through the cultural center, taking in its Alexander Hamilton timeline. It was Hamilton’s vision that got Paterson started as an industrial center—powered by the rushing waters of the Passaic River. Amazing guy, that Hamilton. An orphan by age 13. A lieutenant colonel in George Washington’s army by age 20. The first secretary of the treasury at age 34.

Too bad Hamilton’s plans for the Falls area didn’t include a McBride Avenue crosswalk. I waited out the heavy traffic, then walked up the hill for a view of the Falls from the footbridge that spans the waters just downstream of the 77-foot drop. I was pleased to see that others had the same idea for that Sunday afternoon (were they all New Jersey Monthly readers?) and had brought their families out for a look at “the cradle of American industry.” Nice rainbow, too.

Crossing back over McBride, I entered Raceway Park, so-named for the narrow channel of water (or Raceway) diverted from above the Falls. In its manufacturing heyday, the water racing through the winding channel and down its spillways turned the waterwheels that powered the factories that lined its banks.

These days, the Raceway moves at a snail’s pace. Someday soon, the Raceway should be restored to its former frothy glory when the National Park Service takes over administration of the area. For now, the channel is nothing more than a muck of pea soup salted with beer cans and Styrofoam boxes. Still it’s a pleasant walk down the hill from Raceway Park, past the Paterson Museum (too nice a day for museum-going) and the other remnants of Paterson’s industrial past—following roughly along the route of the Raceway.

Crossing Mill Street I entered into the lively neighborhood known these days as Little Lima. Having worked up a good appetite, I ducked into a little Peruvian spot called Sandwiches Locos. I’m still not sure whether the fellow behind the counter spoke English, but I managed to come away with a Cuban sandwich and an Inca Cola.

My plan was to walk back up the hill to the Falls while munching my sandwich. Alas, one bite and streams of viscous Cuban sandwich sauce (whatever that is) came streaming down my arm (ably demonstrating the downhill liquid rush that drove Paterson’s industrial development).

Apart from that debacle, it was a thoroughly delightful day trip. Next time I’ll bring napkins.

Tags: Hamilton, Alexander | Passaic | Great Falls Historic District Cultural Center

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Comments
Great Falls

For that occasion, it was remiss of the city of Paterson, not to have provided a knowledgeable person to escort you in your visit. That person, would have taken you into the building located at the foot of the Great Falls, to see the 3 turbines producing electricity. In 1987, then-Mayor Frank X. Graves had those turbines installed, in a 20 year contractual arrangement, with a firm known as the "Independent Hydro Developers". This firm paid the estimated cost of 10 Million Dollars to effectuate that installation, while Paterson was given a 1.3 Million Federal Grant to assist that installation. There was/is a Federal Law which says that the local electric supplier, (in this case, Public Service Electric & Gas), MUST purchase all the Electricity generated by that facility. After the 20 year period, the plant, with the turbines would revert to the ownership of the city. At that time, all payments from PSE & G for electricity, would accrue to the benefit of the City. Presumably such happened in 2007.
Perhaps, the powers-that-be in the City, might give you the courtesy of more information.

Posted by: Carmine Cifaldi, None | Oct 14, 2009 17:35:23 PM |

I would like to respond to Carmine Cifaldi’s comments regarding Ken Schlager’s article about his visit to Patersons Great Falls referencing Mr. Cifaldis statement that "it was remiss of the City of Paterson, not to have provided a knowledgeable person to escort you in your visit."
 
The City of Paterson does employ knowledgeable staff, however, we have a limited number of employees and when only one staff person is available, and on that day it was I, it is difficult to escort one person throughout the district when many other visitors are also requesting service. On a beautiful day there might be anywhere from 30 - 50 people coming into the Great Falls Historic District Cultural Center in an afternoon asking for assistance with directions, what to see, and studying the interpretive displays on Paterson history in the Center.
 
It would be truly wonderful if we could assist everyone on a one-to-one interaction but there are often many more visitors to the Center on a weekend than one person can provide personal assistance to. I would have loved nothing more than to have been able to give an individual guided tour to Mr. Schlager, but many of our visitors would have been disappointed to find the Center closed.
 
Perhaps with future support and funding we will have a more extensive staff to meet the demands of visitors. Until then, the persons the City does employ to address visitors to the Great Falls greets everyone with a welcoming smile, plenty of information and maps,and gladly gives guided tours of the district whenever possible.
 
Note: Mr. Cifaldi also mentions that we can bring visitors into the hydroelectric station at the waterfall. I would like to clarify that yes, we can assist in arranging a group or perhaps a person to have guided access into the hydroelectric station. However, that is totally dependent on the schedule of those persons who operate the plant and must have advance notice and confirmation. For information call the Great Falls Historic District Cultural Center at (973) 279-9587 or email: greatfalls@patcity.com.
 
Best Regards,
 
Giovanna Cecchetti
Great Falls Historic District Cultural Center

Posted by: Joanne Cecchetti, None | Oct 23, 2009 19:36:07 PM |