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Great Falls / Kramer Park

Paterson's prime geologic feature is the Great Falls, where the Passaic River has a dramatic 77 foot drop over a formation of basalt rock. The falls were formed around 11,000 BC at the end of the last Ice Age. The falls were a prime attraction to late 18th century industrialists and water diverted through "raceways" from above the falls was used to power numerous mills and factories in the area in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

The park on the northeast bluff overlooking the falls is named for Mary Ellen Kramer (1937-1993), the wife of former mayor Lawrence Kramer who lead the campaign to preserve and redevelop the historic mill district in Paterson. Her efforts preserved an important industrial archeological area that ultimately was designated as a national landmark. (reference)

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