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This power source was used by dozens of mill buildings and other manufacturing structures associated with the textile industry and later the firearms, silk, and locomotive manufacturing industry. In the later part of the 1800’s silk production became the most important industry, and Paterson became known as the “Silk City”.

Paterson, New Jersey
Silk City (abt 1900)

By 1870, the city was processing two-thirds of the raw silk imported into the United States and was attracting immigrant workers from Ireland, Italy, Germany, and Russia.  Today there is an area in downtown Paterson known as Little Italy, where many Italian delis and restaurants are located.

Paterson, New Jersey
Main Street in the 1930s



Paterson, New Jersey
Downtown Paterson today