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He did do a million things. As Park Ranger Emma discusses Alexander Hamilton’s vision for Paterson Great Falls, I wonder what million things he left undone.
It’s noon as the car pulls into the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, parking lot. The New Jersey, city, locals, occupy various benches and walls, munching their lunch-break sandwiches.
First things first, the stamp. The dilemma, Paterson Great Falls is undergoing a major renovation, there is currently no designated visitors’ center. Passing one of the buildings, we notice a sign. Following the instructions, we knock on the door. It opens a crack, revealing a Park Ranger.
“Can we get our book stamped?”
“Sure, here I’ll take it.” The Ranger takes our National Parks Passport book, then closes the door. Locating the stamp, rolling it in the ink, pressing it down onto the book, is a satisfying ritual. This is a different stamp experience. It’s like we are spies on a secret mission. Maybe the Ranger is in the building slipping a clandestine message into our book. The Ranger opens the door and hands back our book, with stamp, sans clandestine message. He apologizes for the unorthodox stamp procedure and describes the work that is being completed. There will be a beautiful visitors’ center. The park is also expanding to include a trail that winds through the ruins of former mills.
The falls are visible from this viewing area, but we are eager to get a closer look.
Approaching the falls feels unreal. Wonderful natural scenery, nestled inside a bustling city. The roar of the falls, competes with the roar of the ceaseless traffic. The falls win. The power of the water, forever tumbling over rocks, changing formation, depending on rainfall, is captivating. When I see the falls, I see poetry, when Alexander Hamilton saw Paterson Great Falls, he saw opportunity. Dreams of harvesting the power of water, danced in his head.
The goal, make Paterson the most industrially advanced city in the United States. Dams were built, businesses moved in, exploited workers revolted. Patterson Great Falls started as nature, became business, and to nature it returned.
There is still an operating hydroelectric plant, but great care is taken to not destroy the landscape. I appreciate that the industrialists of the past, didn’t completely ruin or collapse the falls, like St. Anthony Falls in Minnesota.
Walking back to the car, we notice a Park Ranger leading a tour. Unable to resist the temptation to learn something new, we jump in. There isn’t a lot of shade at Great Paterson Falls National Historical Park. The sun beats down as Park Ranger Emma describes Alexander Hamilton’s zeal.
The group navigates across a zooming, city, intersection. The next tour stop is a relaxed nature trail, it’s complete contrast to the urban jungle we just passed through. Locals stroll hand in hand and lead adorable dogs down the path. Ranger Emma teaches us about the various mills that took advantage of the falls’ power.
Just a few hours after parking in our parking spot, we are back on the road, heading towards more adventure.
Though I don’t recommend planning a whole trip, just to visit Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, I highly recommend stopping to spend an hour or two, especially if you are road-tripping to New York, New England, or driving south to sunnier states.
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