#Paterson waterfall address series

The plant still survives in the preserve and has now become an unexpected umbrella species of sorts, protecting northern long-eared bats that nobody had foreseen would be threatened. The preserve wasn’t protected for bats, however, and it wasn’t protected for history, it was protected for a rare plant called Torrey’s mountain mint. Before European settlement, The Clove was home to the Lenni Lenape people-as far as ten thousand years ago its cliffs were inhabited by their ancestors who made lean-to structures against overhanging rocks. There are rumors that during the American Revolution George Washington’s soldiers used High Mountain to watch the movements of British ships in New York harbor-skyscrapers now block the view of the water, but the view of New York City lends credence to this tale. High Mountain has a rich history that is almost literally unbelievable. These astounding falls made Paterson the ideal site for one of America's earliest industrial parks a thriving manufacturing district developed in part by. The Clove section of the preserve boasts prehistoric rock shelters. Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park is home to one of the country's most spectacular waterfalls a 260-foot-wide, 77-foot drop that rushes through the Passaic River Gorge and is recognized as a National Natural Landmark. The mountain's bedrock, of volcanic origin, dates back over 130 million years. Visitors can take TNC’s High Mountain Challenge to try to beat a NJ ultramarathoner’s time (15 minutes and 3 seconds) to the summit, 800 feet above sea level. The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference has assisted with creating and maintaining trails at the site since the 1940s. J.Established in 1993, High Mountain Park Preserve is jointly owned by The Nature Conservancy, Wayne Township and the State of New Jersey. The Great Falls Raceway and Power System Paterson, N. By using alternative forms of water power, the industrial city adapted to the increased power needs, making water one of the defining traits in Paterson history. The industry changed from textiles to paper to war materials over the century, but Paterson remained a significant manufacturing center. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 12 min to complete. Explore this 0.5-mile out-and-back trail near Paterson, New Jersey.

Length 0.5 miElevation gain 68 ftRoute type Out & back. In 1914, the Society for Establishing Useful Manufacturing built a hydroelectric plant next to the falls to satisfy the factories’ growing demand for energy. Easy 3.8 (223) Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park. At its height, over 40,000 people worked in the Paterson factories and relied on the water in the raceways to power the industry.Įven as the manufacturing industry evolved and the factories stopped using the raceway system, water continued to be a vital part of Paterson’s industrial economy. This proved to be such an efficient system, that as more entrepreneurs came to the city to build factories, the raceways became longer, developing into an extensive three-tiered system to accommodate manufacturers who produced everything from silk to locomotives. The water turned the mill’s waterwheel which was connected to a drive shaft, which was connected to machines by leather belts.

The water flowed through the raceways at an average speed of 25 mph and could generate as much as 2000 horsepower for the factory, depending upon the size of the waterwheel.

#Paterson waterfall address series

They created a system of raceways that diverted water from the river into a series of channels that ran throughout the city, bringing water power to the industrial mills. Optional: Stop at Buttermilk Falls too (can be seen. Optional: Add a 2nd short hike at Van Campens Glen. Longer: Add some of the Maple Trail accessed from the upper area of the ravine. In 1778, Alexander Hamilton visited the falls and recognized their potential for industry. The falls were formed about 13,000 years ago when the ice from Glacial Lake Passaic receded. Shorter: Skip hiking to Walpack Cemetery. An impressive 77-feet tall, this is actually one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi by width and volume. In 1794, Pierre Charles L’Enfant initiated the design and Peter Colt developed the solution. Bit of a hill coming back up from the Lower trail. He just needed some way to harness its potential.

It contains 18th, 19th, and 20th-century waterpower remnants, including a three-tiered water raceway system.

When he saw the fall’s incredible power, he realized it could provide the energy needed for manufacturing. Located just 12 miles west of New York City, it is home to the largest and best example of early manufacturing mills in the United States. The Passaic River and Paterson Great Falls inspired Alexander Hamilton to develop the area into the country’s first planned industrial city. Paterson would not have been an important industrial center without water. Giacomo DeStefano, Director of the Paterson Museum. The raceways diverted water from above the Great Falls to be used as a source of power for the factories.