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Key events in Paterson's Industrial Revolution

By michelle.callahan
  • Hamilton begins to advocate for the establishment of industry in the U.S. after visiting Paterson, NJ

    Hamilton begins to advocate for the establishment of industry in the U.S. after visiting Paterson, NJ

    Alexander Hamilton, believing that a strong industrial system was the best way for the U.S. to gain financial independence and become a world presence, begins to advocate for the establishment of industry in the new nation.
  • NJ Governor William Paterson signs the charter for the Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures (S.U.M.)

    NJ Governor William Paterson signs the charter for the Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures (S.U.M.)

    The charter for the Society for Establishing Useful Manufactures (S.U.M.), founded by Alexander Hamilton and United States Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Tench Coxe, is signed by NJ Governor William Paterson.

  • S.U.M. purchases 700 acres of land above and below the Great Falls and the town of Paterson is established.

    S.U.M. purchases 700 acres of land above and below the Great Falls and the town of Paterson is established.
  • Thirteen water-powered cotton mills were operating beside the falls, operated by over 2,000 workers.

    Thirteen water-powered cotton mills were operating beside the falls, operated by over 2,000 workers.

    Thirteen water-powered cotton mills were operating beside the falls, operated by over 2,000 workers. The S.U.M. had established a flourishing cotton industry that developed because of the water power sources it now controlled.

  • The population of Paterson grew to over 5,000 people.

    As a result of S.U.M.'s success in promoting industry, the population of Paterson grew from 500 in the 1790s to over 5,000 by 1820.
  • Paterson became known as the "Cotton Town of the United States"

    Paterson became known as the "Cotton Town of the United States"

    Paterson became known as the "Cotton Town of the United States" and many new mills were built. One of the news mills was "Passaic Mill No. 1," known as Colt's "Duck Mill."

  • Paterson had the largest duck factory in the country.

    Paterson had the largest duck factory in the country. Paterson canvas industry gains Naval contracts to ensure a domestic supply in the event of war.

  • Paterson begins manufacturing steel and locomotives.

    Due to competition with New England, local mill industry shifted to the manufacturing of steel and locomotives.
  • Silk manufacturing first began in Paterson

    Silk manufacturing first began in Paterson

    Silk manufacturing first began in Paterson when a plant was established in Paterson's Old Gun Mill.

  • The town of Paterson was incorporated

    The town of Paterson was incorporated
  • Paterson became known as "Silk City"

    Paterson became known as "Silk City"

  • The milling of steel and manufacturing of locomotives became the dominant industry of the area, leading to a population.

    The milling of steel and manufacturing of locomotives became the dominant industry of the area. Population total reached almost 20,000 due to this boom.
  • The Jacquard loom was introduced to Paterson

    The Jacquard loom was introduced to Paterson

    The Jacquard loom was brought to Paterson and gave boost to the silk industry.

  • Paterson was processing the majority of raw silk imported into the United States and began attracting immigrant workers from Ireland, Italy, Germany, and Russia.

  • Paterson was officially known as the center of the U.S. silk industry

  • Most workers were now immigrants.

    Most workers were immigrants, mostly from traditional silk textile areas in England, Germany, and Italy. Nearly half of workers were women, but men held higher paying jobs.

  • Paterson's population was approaching 51,000 people.

  • Paterson was the fifteenth largest city in the United States with a population of 105,000.

    Local population had reached more than 105,000 people and the city had become the fifteenth largest in the United States.

  • Paterson's silk industry reached its peak, population at 125,600, with 25,000 workers in 350 large plants weaving 30 percent of all silk manufactured in the U.S.

    Paterson's silk industry reached its peak when the city population stood at 125,600. At that time, there were 25,000 workers in 350 large plants who wove nearly 30 percent of the silk manufactured in the United States
  • the beginning of "The Silk Strike of 1913" and the industrial labor union movement.

    the beginning of "The Silk Strike of 1913" and the industrial labor union movement.

    February of 1913, 25,000 silk workers went on strike to improve working conditions. Organizers from the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) joined striking silk workers, leading to in increase in solidarity in Paterson.
  • 1,850 strikers were jailed and many of the nation’s best-known labor leaders came to the city

    1,850 strikers were jailed and many of the nation’s best-known labor leaders came to the city

  • Strike of 1913 Ends in Failure

    Strike of 1913 Ends in Failure