Explore Passaic County historic homes, Revolutionary War landmarks, industrial heritage sites, Great Falls history, ironworks, museums, and preservation destinations across Wayne, Paterson, West Milford, Ringwood, Pompton Plains, and surrounding communities.
Passaic County history stretches from early Dutch settlement and Revolutionary War encampments to the industrial development of Paterson, the ironworks of the Highlands, and historic homes tied to national figures.
Passaic County was created on February 7, 1837, from portions of Bergen County and Essex County. Its historic identity includes early settlement, Revolutionary War movements, Paterson's industrial development, Highlands iron production, preserved homes, mills, museums, and public landmarks.
Washington's headquarters at Dey Mansion, Ringwood Manor, Van Saun House, and other sites connect Passaic County to Continental Army movements and military planning.
The Great Falls and surrounding Paterson historic district reflect the waterpower, factories, and engineering history that shaped the city and region.
Longpond Iron Works and Ringwood Manor preserve the story of northern New Jersey iron production, military supply, and Highlands settlement.
Wayne, Pompton Plains, and surrounding communities include Dutch, colonial, and Revolutionary-era homes tied to local families and national history.
The original Passaic County historic listings are preserved below with a cleaner, card-based presentation.
Fairfield Road
Wayne, NJ 07470
This house, which once served as a Dutch Reformed Church parsonage, was built by John Ryerson before 1762. It was sold to the Demarests around 1814. It was dismantled and rebuilt in 1850 to rid the house of ghosts. It is currently a private residence.
McBride and Spruce Street
Paterson, NJ 07501
George Washington visited this seventy-foot waterfall site in 1778. It helped run the nearby S.U.M. Hydroelectric Station in 1913.
Greenwood Lake Turnpike
West Milford, NJ 07480
Founded in 1766 by Peter Hasenclever, the Long Pond Ironworks was run by a succession of famous ironmasters, including Robert Erskine, Martin J. Ryerson and Abraham S. Hewitt. The Long Pond furnace, forge and supporting village contributed to the war efforts during the American Revolution, the War of 1812 and the Civil War. As at many other iron-producing sites in the Highlands, the furnace operation ended in the 1880s when the iron industry's western migration was complete.
State Highway Route 23 near Jackson Ave
Pompton Plains, NJ 07444
Built by Martin Berry (1693-1784), son of the first family to settle Pompton Plains. It is the only pre-Revolutionary building substantially unaltered in Pequannock Township.
Manor Road
Ringwood, NJ 07456
This manor house, the home of Maj. Robert Erskine, served as the headquarters for Generals George Washington and Nathaniel Greene during the Revolutionary War. During the Revolution, cannon and shot for the Continental Army were made here. Washington and Greene were quartered at the manor home of Robert Erskine, Geographer of the Army. Here began the march of 3,000 soldiers to Yorktown.
Hamburg Turnpike
Wayne, NJ 07470
This house, which is Wayne's oldest, was built in 1695 by Ardent Schuyler, one of the leaders of the original settlement. William Colfax, who married Hester Schuyler in 1783, gave the house the Colfax name. General George Washington stayed at this house in July of 1777. He and Martha visited here years later for the christening of the son of Capt. William Colfax and Hester Schuyler. A second son, Schuyler Colfax, would go on to become Vice President of the United States.
Laauwe Avenue
Wayne, NJ 07470
This old Dutch home was built in 1769 by Samuel Van Saun. In 1780 it served as headquarters of Major General Marquis de Lafayette and his troops.
Totowa Road
Wayne, NJ 07470
From July 1-29 and October 9-November 27, 1780, Washington had headquarters here at the house of Colonel Theunis Dey. The main army encamped along Totowa Heights. While staying in this house, Washington helped plot Gen. Anthony Wayne's failed attack on Bull's Ferry and the equally unsuccessful attack on Staten Island by Lafayette. He also abandoned his plans to make a major assault on British-held New York City.
Continue exploring Passaic County through related NJTGO county and town pages.
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