[U187]Uss New Jersey Battleship

Paterson is a city located in Passaic County, New Jersey. As of the United States 2000 Census, the city had a total population of 149,222. Census population projections indicate a population of 154,463 as of 2005, making it New Jersey's third largest city. It is the county seat of Passaic CountyGR6. Paterson is known as the Silk City for its dominant role in silk production during the latter 19th century.

History
In 1791, Alexander Hamilton helped found the Society for the Establishment of Useful Manufactures (S.U.M.), which helped encourage the harnessing of energy from the Great Falls of the Passaic, to secure economic independence from British manufacturers. Paterson, which was founded by the society, became the cradle of the industrial revolution in America. Paterson was named for William Paterson, Governor of New Jersey, statesman, and signer of the Constitution.

French architect, engineer, and city planner Pierre L'Enfant, who developed the plans for Washington, D.C., was the first superintendent for the S.U.M. project. He devised a plan, which would harness the power of the Great Falls through a channel in the rock and an aqueduct. However, the society's directors felt he was taking too long and was over budget. He was replaced by Peter Colt, who used a less-complicated reservoir system to get the water flowing to factories in 1794. Eventually, Colt's system developed some problems and a scheme resembling L'Enfant's original plan was used after 1846.

The industries developed in Paterson were powered by the 77-foot high Great Falls, and a system of water raceways that harnessed the power of the falls. The city began growing around the falls and until 1914 the mills were powered by the waterfalls. The district originally included dozens of mill buildings and other manufacturing structures associated with the textile industry and later, the firearms, silk, and railroad locomotive manufacturing industries. In the latter half of the 1800s, silk production became the dominant industry and formed the basis of Paterson's most prosperous period, earning it the nickname "Silk City." In 1835, Samuel Colt began producing firearms in Paterson, although within a few years he moved his business to Hartford, Connecticut. Later in the 19th century, Paterson was the site of early experiments with submarines by inventor John Holland. Two of Holland's early models ? one found at the bottom of the Passaic River ? are on display in the Paterson Museum, housed in a former mill near the Passaic Falls.

The city was a mecca for immigrant laborers who worked in its factories as well. Paterson was also the site of historic labor unrest that focused on anti-child labor legislation, and the six-month long Paterson silk strike of 1913 that demanded the eight-hour day and better working conditions, but was defeated by the employers with workers forced to return under pre-strike conditions. Factory workers labored long hours for low wages under dangerous conditions and lived in crowded tenement buildings around the mills. The factories then moved south where there were no labor unions and later overseas.

In 1932, Paterson opened Hinchliffe Stadium, a 7,500-seat stadium named in honor of John V. Hinchliffe, a former Paterson mayor. Hinchliffe originally served as the site for high school and semi-professional athletic events. From 1933 to 1945, Hinchliffe became the home of the New York Black Yankees of the Negro National League, as well as the venue for many football games, track and field events, boxing matches and shows, including those done by Abbott and Costello. In the 1970s, Paterson Public Schools acquired the stadium and utilized it for public school events until the 1997. Currently, Hinchliffe stadium is in a state of disrepair. However, Hinchliffe is one of only two Negro League stadiums left standing in the United States.

World War II helped a little, when Paterson played an important part in the aircraft engine industry. By the end of WWII however there was a decline in urban areas and Paterson was no exception. Since the 1970s the city has been plagued with high unemployment rates. By 1980, Paterson was one of the most distressed cities in the United States. The city no longer has a single movie theater or a motor vehicles office, its major department stores have closed, and the social indices of despair?childhood AIDS, unemployment, homelessness, illiteracy, and graduation rates?all moved in the wrong direction during the unrivaled prosperity of the 1990s economic boom. The failing schools have since been taken over by the state.

Once a premier shopping and leisure destination of northern New Jersey, competition from the malls in neighboring towns like Wayne and Paramus have forced the big-chain stores out of Paterson's downtown. The biggest industries are now the small businesses because the factories have moved overseas. However the city still, as always, attracts many immigrants. Many of these immigrants have revived the city's economy especially through small businesses.

Geography

Paterson is located at 40'54'56" North, 74'9'47" West (40.915498, -74.162927)GR1 in the Piedmont region between the Appalachian foothills and the Coastal Plain.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 22.6 km? (8.7 mi?). 21.9 km? (8.4 mi?) of it is land and 0.8 km? (0.3 mi?) of it is water. The total area is 3.32% water.Paterson is the 3rd largest town in New Jersey.

The Great Falls Historic District is the most famous area of Paterson, because of the landmark Great Falls of the Passaic River. The city has attempted to revitalize the area in recent years, including the installation of period lamp posts and the conversion of old industrial buildings into apartments and retail. Many artists live in this section of Paterson. A major redevelopment project is planned for this district in the coming years. The Paterson Museum is situated in this neighborhood.

Downtown Paterson is the main commercial district of the city and was once a shopping mecca for northern New Jersey. After a devastating fire in 1902, the city rebuilt the downtown with massive Beaux-Arts-style buildings, many of which remain to this day. These buildings are usually four to seven stories tall. Downtown Paterson is home to City Hall and the Passaic County Courthouse Annex, two of the city's architectural landmarks.

As with many other old downtown districts in the United States, Downtown Paterson suffered as shoppers and retailers moved to the suburban shopping malls of the region. Many historic buildings are in disrepair or are abandoned after years of neglect. In addition, Downtown Paterson is an Urban Enterprise Zone. The city has, in recent years, begun initiatives in hopes of reviving the downtown area. A project called the Center City project will convert a downtown parking lot into a commercial and entertainment center with office space.

Eastside is a residential neighborhood east of downtown. Once the home of the city's industrial and political leaders, the neighborhood experienced a significant downturn as industry fled Paterson. In recent years, people have begun moving back into the neighborhood and are restoring some of the area's historic houses. The Eastside Park Historic District, a state- and nationally-registered historic place, is situated in this neighborhood.

South Paterson is a diverse neighborhood, with a significant Arabic and Turkish community centered around Montclair Avenue. Many of the retail shops and restaurants cater to this community.

Hillcrest is a mostly residential, middle class enclave, to the west of the downtown area.

Twenty-First Avenue is an active and vibrant retail strip featuring a variety of shops and services catering to a diverse clientele.

Wrigley Park or the Fourth Ward is a predominantly residential neighborhood that has suffered from years of poverty, crime, and neglect.

Northside, located north of Downtown, suffers from some of the social problems currently facing the Wrigley Park neighborhood. This section is known for its hills and having sweeping views of New York City.

Riverside is a larger section of Paterson and, as its name states, this neighborhood is bound by the Passaic River to the north and east, separating the city from Hawthorne and Fair Lawn. Riverside is mostly a quiet working-class neighborhood. River Street cuts through the heart of this district. The neighborhood is mostly residential with some industrial uses. It is also middle-class near the Fair Lawn border.

Lakeview, situated in the southern part of the city, is a middle class area. Interstate 80 runs north of this district. Lakeview is home to the Paterson Farmers Market, where people from all across northern New Jersey come to buy fresh produce.