Great Falls Historic District, Paterson, New Jersey
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National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Special Resource StudySpecial Resource Falls Historic District Great Paterson, NewJersey 2006 November, Great Falls Historic District Paterson, New Jersey November, 2006 National Park Service Special Resource Study Great Falls Historic District Paterson, New Jersey Special Resource Study Department of the Interior As the nation’s principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has the responsibility for most of our nationally-owned public lands and natural resources. Its duties include fostering sound use of our land and water resources; protecting our fish, wildlife and biological diversity; preserving the environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historic places; and providing for the enjoyment of life This report has been prepared to provide Congress and the public with information about the resources in through outdoor recreation. The Department assesses our energy and mineral the study area and how they relate to criteria for inclusion within the national park system. Publication resources and works to ensure that their development is in the best interest of all our and transmittal of this report should not be considered an endorsement or a commitment by the National people by encouraging stewardship and citizen participation in their care. The Park Service to seek or support either specific legislative authorization for the project or appropriation for Department also has major responsibility for American Indian reservation its implementation. Authorization and funding for any new commitments by the National Park Service communities and for people who live in island territories under U.S. administration. will have to be considered in light of competing priorities for existing units of the national park system and other programs. This report was prepared by the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, National Park Service Northeast Region. For additional copies or more information contact: The National Park Service is a bureau within the Department of the Interior. Its National Park Service mission is to preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the Division of Park Planning & Special Studies National Park system for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of this and future 200 Chestnut Street, 3rd Floor generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of Philadelphia, PA 19106 natural and cultural resources conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this 215.597.1848 country and the world. Table of Contents To Comment on This Study Public comments on the Special Resource Study of the Great Falls Historic District in Paterson, NJ will be welcomed by the NPS for the period of 60 days after the date of the release of this report. Comments may be made electronically through the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at http://www.parkplanning.nps.gov or through the Great Falls Historic District Special Resource Study Website at http://www.nps.gov/nero/greatfalls/. Written comments may be addressed to the individual listed below: Peter Samuel Outdoor Recreation Planner Division of Park Planning & Special Studies National Park Service 200 Chestnut Street, Third Floor Philadelphia, PA 19106 i Please note that it is our practice to make comments, including names, home addresses, home phone numbers, and email addresses of respondents, available for public review. Individual respondents may request that we withhold their names and/or home addresses, etc., but if you wish us to consider withholding this information you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comments. In addition, you must present a rationale for withholding this information. This rationale must demonstrate that disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy. Unsupported assertions will not meet this burden. In the absence of exceptional, documentable circumstances, this information will be released. We will always make submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives of or officials of organizations or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety. Photo credits for front cover and inside front cover: Great Falls of the Passaic. NPS photo. S.U.M. Building and the Great Falls. NPS photo. C o n t e n t s Special Resource Study | Great Falls Historic District | Paterson, New Jersey Table of Contents Executive Summary v Chapter One 1 Study Purpose and Background ii Introduction .............................................................................................................................1 Previous Administrative Designations and Congressional Actions ..............................................4 Study Area ...............................................................................................................................6 The National Park Service in New Jersey and Related Studies .....................................................8 Chapter Two 11 Historical Overview and Resources The Context for Early Industrial Growth in America ..........................................................11 Alexander Hamilton and the Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures .......................15 Paterson’s Beginning .......................................................................................................18 Recovery and Reversal .....................................................................................................21 Power for the Mills .........................................................................................................23 Major Industries, People and Events at the Great Falls .....................................................25 Locomotive Manufacturing .............................................................................................26 Samuel Colt and the Gun Mill .........................................................................................28 John Holland and the Submarine ....................................................................................30 John Ryle and “Silk City” .................................................................................................32 The Silk Strike of 1913 ....................................................................................................34 Cotton, Flax, Paper, Hemp and Jute ........................................................................................36 A Final Note on the S.U.M. .............................................................................................38 Historic District Resources ...............................................................................................39 T a b l e o f Table of Contents Chapter Three 43 Designation Analysis Introduction ....................................................................................................................43 National Significance of the Great Falls Historic District ...................................................43 Suitability Analysis of the Great Falls Historic District ........................................................45 The Great Falls of the Passaic–The Natural Feature ..........................................................45 The Great Falls Historic District–Cultural Resources ..........................................................47 Peopling Places ...............................................................................................................47 Expanding Science and Technology .................................................................................50 Alexander Hamilton and Developing the American Economy ...........................................55 iii Determination of Suitability ............................................................................................63 Feasibility Analysis ...........................................................................................................64 Determination of Feasibility ....................................................................................................67 Analysis of the Need for NPS Management .....................................................................67 Potential for Affiliated Area Status ..................................................................................68 Study Conclusions ..........................................................................................................69 Chapter Four 71 Consultation & Coordination Notice of Intent ..............................................................................................................71 Public Scoping Meeting ..................................................................................................71 Additional Meetings .......................................................................................................71 Written Communications ................................................................................................72 Other Correspondence ...................................................................................................73 Consultation ..........................................................................................................................73 Special Resource Study Team and Advisors ......................................................................75 Appendices 77 Appendix One: Legislation ...............................................................................................77