The City of Paterson, located on the Passaic River in New Jersey was once one of the mightiest industrial cities of the United States. It has a rich history as the Nation's first planned industrial city, as well as containing some of the country's oldest textile mills and businesses.

In 1792, Alexander Hamilton formed an investment group called the Society of Useful Manufactures (the "SUM") whose funds would be used to develop a planned industrial city in the United States that was later to become Paterson. Hamilton believed that the United States needed to reduce its dependence on foreign goods and should instead develop its own industries.

The industries developed in Paterson were powered by the 77-foot high Great Falls of the Passaic, and a system of water raceways that harnessed the power of the falls. 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 1800's, silk production became the dominant industry and formed the basis of Paterson's most prosperous period, earning it the nickname "Silk City." Paterson was also the site of historic labor unrest that focused on anti-child labor legislation, safety in the workplace, a minimum wage, and reasonable working hours.
Royce: yo whats really good Justin?!?! When we goin down to Silk City?

Justin: Silk City?! Where is that?

Royce: PATERSON MA DUDE

Justin: Paterson? oh aight then trillz.
by Royds April 12, 2006
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Once one of the mightiest industrial cities in the world this city has become a typical stinking, crack infested, deteriorating northern Jersey cesspool of minority underachievement and jihadist terror cells. The "Great Paterson Falls" looks like Willie Wonka's chocolate river waterfall placed in an urban setting.
Remember that whore from Paterson?
Paterson sucks.
Let's go to Paterson and score a dime.

by Samantha Minardi May 8, 2008
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City in Northern New Jersey, located in Passaic County, in which it is the county seat. Third largest city in New Jersey with a population of over 150,000 people. The city is mostly Hispanic with a large Dominican, Puerto Rican, Colombian and Peruvian population, also large Black, Arab, Turkish, Caribbean, and, Italian population. Founded in 1792, as the nation's first planned industrial city, by Alexander Hamilton, the city is know as the "Silk City" for it's large amount of silk mills around the Great Falls.
Paterson, NJ, is a large city near NYC
by OmegaBlue June 24, 2006
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Mr Paterson’s are tall, annoying principals. For some reason he doesn’t like angels. He also doesn’t like the color black, and will tell you to take it off.
Your so annoying, you are a Mr Paterson!
by Karmas December 11, 2018
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City in Northern New Jersey, located in Passaic County, in which it is the county seat. Third largest city in New Jersey with a population of over 150,000 people. The city is mostly Hispanic with a large Dominican, Puerto Rican, Colombian and Peruvian population, also large Black, Arab, Turkish, Caribbean, and, Italian population. Founded in 1792, as the nation's first planned industrial city, by Alexander Hamilton, the city is know as the "Silk City" for it's large amount of silk mills around the Great Falls.
Paterson, NJ, is a large city near NYC
by OmegaBlue June 24, 2006
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former and more approriate name of elmwood park
"just call it what it really is...east paterson!
by Barry G. September 9, 2004
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Paterson, NJ (also called the Silk City or P-town), is one of the roughest places to live. The city was the first industrial city in the country, and the main production item was silk (nicknamed the silk city). Now, that age has come to an end and the city is a poverty-stricken wasteland. The city's residents are mainly Hispanic and Black. Paterson has a very high crime rate and is a very dangerous place. It is a very corrupt city, covered in graffiti, and has drug dealers on every street corner. P-town is a nickname given to it by its younger residents. Paterson has a population of about 150,000 and is currently the third largest city in the state of New Jersey. It is located in Passaic County and is the county seat. And above all, the city is not welcome to rich wiggers wanting thier little taste of the ghetto, so if you're not originally from Paterson don't go there (especially if you're white, but no other races are excluded). AND I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH!!!
Paterson, NJ is one of the most ghetto cities in the United States.
by PLR September 7, 2006
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