Great Falls - Paterson NJ

The Great Falls are the second-highest on the east coast, second only to Niagara Falls. The Great Falls thunders over a rocky ledge, 70 feet deep, about 60 feet wide to a broad basin descending 20 feet through traprock and sandstone to the City of Paterson.

One of the first major US water power system and basis for integrating urban planning with industrial development. The raceway and power system, constructed from 1792 to 1864, was the first major water power system in the United States. The project, conceived by Alexander Hamilton in 1791 and designed by Pierre Charles L'Enfant, engineer-planner of the Capital, and Peter Colt is the basis of the oldest American community integrating water power, industrial development, and urban planning.

Today it is part of an urban park struggling for renewal. The area also consists of many old Mills that are being transformed today into office buildings and apartments.

It was a cloudy rainy day today but I was in the area and thought I would finally take a look. I have always wanted to see the Falls. I have a few photos that are closer and show more of the falls but I like the composition on this one.

Better bigger.....

Thanks,
Karen