Hinchcliffe Stadium

2020 aerial photo shows Hinchliffe Stadium with the Great Falls in the foreground

On May 19, 2010, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named Hinchliffe Stadium to its list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places. 

Hinchliffe Stadium is a 10,000-seat stadium located in Paterson, New Jersey. The stadium is located atop the Great Falls of the Passaic River, and is part of the surrounding National Historical Park. The stadium, built in 1932, was closed in 1996 after years of neglect. 

The stadium was designed as an Art Deco stadium with distinctive Spanish tile trim and OLympian decoration as an oval with near-continuous seating laid out like a classical amphitheater. Building the stadium was pushed through by its namesake Mayor John Hinchliffe, who made his fortune from Hinchliffe Brewing before it closed due to Prohibition. 

After 26 years, Hinchliffe Stadium opened its gates again on May 17, 2023, and on May 20th, the stadium hosted the first professional sporting event in a National Park. The stadium's primary user is the Paterson Board of Education, where it serves as a multipurpose facility for the city’s two high schools, Eastside High School and Kennedy High School. As of 2023, it also serves as the home stadium for the New Jersey Jackals of the independent Frontier League in Minor League Baseball. The Jackals spent their previous 25 seasons playing at Yogi Berra Stadium in Little Falls, New Jersey.

Hinchliffe Stadium had been the home of the New York Black Yankees of the Negro League from 1933-38 and is one of only four stadiums still standing that hosted Negro League baseball games.

Players who hit the field there include Monte Irvin, Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Oscar Charleston, and "Cool Papa" Bell, among many others. Hall-of-Famer Larry Doby, the legendary player who broke the American League color barrier in 1947, grew up in Paterson playing football and baseball in Hinchliffe Stadium for Paterson's Eastside High School and was scouted from Hinchliffe for the Newark Eagles in 1942.

Hinchliffe became an important venue for boxing (Diamond Gloves, precursor to the Golden Gloves), auto racing (precursor to NASCAR featuring stock car racing, pre-Indianapolis racing, and midget car racing events), and professional football.

Victory Bond rallies held at the stadium during World War II drew sports stars and New York and Hollywood celebrities by the dozens. Among the many notable events headlined at Hinchliffe were shows performed by Abbott and Costello. Lou Costello was born and raised in Paterson's Eastside section.

In addition to the stadium revival, the project includes senior housing, a parking deck, a food court and a museum dedicated to the Negro Leagues and the civil rights struggle. 

northjersey.com/story/news/paterson-press/2023/05/19/paterson-nj-hinchliffe-stadium

Solar Eclipse Viewing in NJ

From space, the Moon's shadow during a solar eclipse appears as a dark spot moving across the Earth
Image: NASA Earth Observatory

On Monday, August 21, 2017, all of North America will be treated to a total eclipse of the sun. In New Jersey, which is north of the path of totality, the sun will appear partially eclipsed at magnitude 0.77 or about 73% of the sun being covered by the Moon - which will still be an incredible sight. It will peak at about 2:43 pm ET.

Two places you might go for viewing in New Jersey that also offer other things to see and do while you are there are two of our own national parks.

Solar Eclipse Party at Sandy Hook
History House, Building 1
1PM - 5PM
Join a park ranger and S.T.A.R Astronomy to view the solar eclipse. Rangers and astronomers will share with visitors how to safely enjoy the solar eclipse. Ranger-led activities will be led on the lawn as the party takes place.


At the Great Falls on the Passaic River, you can experience this solar phenomena in Overlook Park at 72 Mcbride Avenue, Paterson, NJ. Free solar eclipse viewing glasses and t-shirts will be provided while supplies last, as well as special solar eclipse junior ranger books and badges.

Further Preservation at the Paterson Great Falls Historical Park

The Department of Environmental Protection announced this week that the Green Acres Program has purchased a tract of land near the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park to preserve the viewshed and support visitation to this important landmark.

The 8.5-acre site sits upon a dramatic ridge that rises more than 100 feet above the Passaic River, and offers an excellent view of Paterson’s Historic District below and the New York City skyline in the distance.

The property is adjacent to Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park; partially within the National Historic Landmark district, and adjacent to the Great Falls of Paterson-Garret Mountain National Natural Monument. Preservation of this property provides the opportunity for an expanded trail system, historic interpretation and other park amenities.

“Preserving this land is very important to enhancing the Paterson Great Falls Historical Park and preserving another aspect of the site’s important heritage,” DEP Commissioner Martin said. “The preservation of this beautiful landscape would not be possible if not for the shared vision of all the partners in this project and their commitment to preservation of this land. The Christie Administration remains committed to preserving historic sites that are important to people in the state and in cities like Paterson.”

“The site offers the possibility of creating a sequence of overlooks, landscapes, pathways and features that bring together the richness of a spectacular natural history and ecology; an aspect of our industrial and Native American heritage, and current day community and tourist interests, including recreation, interaction and events,” said Paterson Mayor Jose “Joey” Torres. “We envision a design strategy that will work to amplify existing assets and will enhance the natural beauty of the site.”

The Green Acres Program purchased the property from Paterson Renewal Associates, LLC for $5.7 million. The land, once slated for a housing development, contains a parking lot that will be used to support public access.

DEP will partner with the City of Paterson regarding improvements to and management of the property.

“We’re very pleased that this parcel is going to be preserved as open space,” said Kate Marcopul, Administrator of the State’s Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). “This action will preserve the integrity of the setting and the character of Paterson’s nationally significant historic sites, so that current and future generations of New Jerseyans can better understand its importance to our history.”

The Falls area has a long and storied history linked closely with not only the beginning of the United States but with a number of the key people who made the new nation a reality. In 1778, Alexander Hamilton first visited the Falls and was impressed by its potential for industry. Later, after Hamilton took the position as the nation’s first Secretary of Treasury, he selected the area as the site of the nation’s first planned industrial city, which he called a “national manufactory.”

In 1791, Secretary Hamilton helped found the Society for the Establishment of Useful Manufactures (S.U.M.), a state-chartered private corporation to fulfill this vision. Paterson itself was founded by the Society that same year and it chose to name the new town after New Jersey Governor William Paterson – a signer of the Constitution and, later, an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court – in appreciation of his efforts to promote the society.

“Preserving this property is a win for New Jersey for both ecological and historic reasons,” said Rich Boornazian, Assistant Commissioner of Natural and Historic Resources. “New Jerseyans and visitors to our state will now have additional space to see this geologic marvel and to further learn how it inspired leaders to build Paterson and a new industrial foundation for a young nation.”

The Green Acres Program, with help from public and private partners, has directly protected more than 680,000 acres of open space and provided hundreds of recreational opportunities for a variety of activities, including natural areas, hiking and fishing areas, city parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, boat ramps, docks, fishing piers and environmental education.

For more information on the DEP’s Green Acres Program, please visit: nj.gov/dep/greenacres/

New Jersey Waterfalls

I wrote about water trails earlier on this blog, but a post back in September on the njconservation.org blog reminded me to revisit our states waterfalls.

This summer was pretty dry and our waterfalls were low on water. The Great Falls at Paterson were actually "turned off" for a few hours in September to check the dam and clear away debris. The Passaic River was diverted to the hydroelectric plant there on a day where the water level was low.

A day or two after a big rainfall is a great time to visit. By then the runoff has hit the falls and the paths and trails are less soggy.

Great Falls

The big one in NJ is the Paterson Great Falls. It's a distant second to Niagara Falls but it is the east coast's second largest (not the highest) waterfall. The addition of the Paterson Great Falls National Historic Park has made visiting more worthwhile. Check out the 77-foot Great Falls after a big rainstorm for a rainbow-spray view.

The falls that I have visited the most is a small one - Hemlock Falls in South Mountain Reservation - which was a place I often rode my bike when I was growing up nearby. The Reservation is the largest park in Essex County and an escape in a very urban area, so even an easy "hike" to a 25-foot waterfall was treat. And it still is a nice escape.

Buttermilk Falls via www.njhiking.com

There are 7 other waterfalls you can visit in our state

1. Buttermilk Falls is your stop if you want to see the state's highest waterfall. At 200 feet, this rocky cascade in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is a short walk from a parking lot and you can also climb steps to the top for a reverse view. If you're more ambitious, try this hike from njhiking.com
2. Chikahoki Falls and Otter Hole is in Norvin Green State Forest in Passaic County.
3. The small Apshawa Falls would be a good stop on a hike through the Apshawa Preserve in West Milford.
4. Greenbrook Falls has a unique location in the Greenbrook Sanctuary atop the Palisades in Tenafly and Alpine, Bergen County.
5. The Rockaway River, like the Passaic River in Paterson, once powered industry. Boonton Falls is outside Boonton's downtown in Grace Lord Park.
6. The prettily named Bridal Veil Falls is on the grounds of William Paterson University in North Haledon. There is a trail behind the falls that lets you stand in a cave behind the falling water.
7. Tinton Falls is a town and the falls from which it got its name. This Monmouth County waterfall was also one a source of power, and can be easily seen from an overlook off Tinton Avenue.

The Great Falls Today

Yesterday, I wrote about some of the history of the Great Falls of the Passaic River in Paterson. Today, I'm looking at what is there today.

It is a natural wonder, but it is only 15 miles from downtown Manhattan and surrounded by a very urban and troubled city.

It is New Jersey's newest national park - officially the Great Falls National Historic Park.

We know it for the 77-foot falls that is so often photographed with its arched iron bridge and historic redbrick mill buildings that were once powered by the falls and its raceway system.

The smash hit Broadway musical Hamilton about Paterson's founding father has made Paterson a place to visit if the story intrigues you and you want to dig deeper. The connection between the musical's story and Alexander Hamilton's economic legacy began not in New York City but at Paterson's Great Falls.

Hamilton chose the site of the Great Falls to propel his brainchild, a "national manufactory," Paterson was America's first planned industrial city. In 1791 the Society for the Establishing Usefull Manufactures (S.U.M) was incorporated.

The Great Falls is the east coast's second largest waterfall. Everyone knows #1 - Niagara Falls - and the hope was that New Jersey could pull some tourists to our Great Falls and the surrounding Paterson historic district.

But, just like other natural areas like forests and beaches, and historic areas and wildlife species, the Great Falls needs protection.

The area was named a National Natural Landmark in 1967, a National Historic Landmark District in 1976, And getting a national historic park designation in 2009 helps, but it is not enough.

Last fall, Paterson's Planning Board approved a 156-unit apartment complex atop the ridge overlooking the historic district and falls. Huh? Doesn't that destroy the very thing that you want to promote?

Perhaps the tourism dollars from the park have not come or have not come quickly. Selling land and having construction done is fast and easy money, but will a dangerous half-life to the future.

Short-term tax ratables versus long-term planning and a revitalized Paterson is much more difficult and will take much longer - but will have a much longer and lasting impact on the city, area and state.

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• Learn more about Great Falls National Historic Park at at www.nps.gov/pagr/ and the Hamilton Partnership for Paterson at hamiltonpartnership.org
• Take a virtual tour of the Mill Mile at the falls
• Guided walking tours and special programs at the park    
• Also check out the Paterson Museum (walking distance from the park)
• and nearby attractions include Lambert Castle; 3 Valley Road, Paterson 
• and the American Labor Museum (Botto House); 83 Norwood Street, Haledon

Cultural Center at the park

A Frozen Great Falls at Paterson

We are all hoping for some thaw in March - in like a lamb and out like an even gentler lamb would be nice - but the past week we were looking at frozen ponds, lakes, creeks and rivers and even the the Great falls of the Passaic River at Paterson.

Niagara Falls may have gotten more attention with its northern ice, but here in New Jersey the Great Falls have been freezing from the record cold.

Here is some video from Air 11 from WPIX.



The Great Falls of Paterson became a National Natural Landmark in 1967. The National Natural Landmarks Program encourages and supports the conservation of sites that illustrate the nation's geological and biological history, and to strengthen the public's appreciation of America's natural heritage.

The Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park is one of the newest units within the National Park Service. On March 30, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park Act as part of the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act.

A part of the city of Paterson was designated as a National Historic Landmark District in 1976. National Historic Landmarks are nationally significant places designated by the Secretary of the Interior because they possess exceptional value or quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States.

The Great Falls raceway and power systems became a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark in 1977.
The Historic Civil Engineering Landmark Program recognizes historically significant local, national, and international civil engineering projects, structures and sites.