{"id":3606,"date":"2026-08-03T23:32:59","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T03:32:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/patersonhistory.com\/?page_id=3606"},"modified":"2026-08-03T23:44:21","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T03:44:21","slug":"3606-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/patersonhistory.com\/index.php\/3606-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Eastside"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

History of Paterson’s Eastside Neighborhood<\/h2>\n
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The Eastside<\/strong> is one of Paterson’s most historic and architecturally significant neighborhoods. Stretching east of Downtown to the Passaic River, it developed from farmland into an elegant residential suburb during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Today, it is home to the nationally recognized Eastside Park Historic District<\/strong>, one of New Jersey’s finest collections of historic homes.<\/p>\n

From Farms to Residential Neighborhood<\/h2>\n

For much of the nineteenth century, the Eastside consisted of farms and country estates owned by prominent Paterson families, including the Van Buren family and Civil War veteran Colonel Andrew Derrom<\/strong>. The area remained largely rural while Paterson’s mills expanded around the Great Falls.<\/p>\n

As the city prospered through the silk industry, wealthy industrialists sought homes away from the smoke and noise of the factories. The Eastside’s higher elevations, broad streets, and proximity to the Passaic River made it an ideal location for elegant residences.<\/p>\n

Eastside Park<\/a><\/h2>\n

The transformation of the neighborhood began with the creation of Eastside Park<\/strong>, originally known as Washington Park<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In 1888, the City of Paterson purchased approximately 66 acres of Colonel Andrew Derrom’s estate to establish a public park. The park was designed in 1899 by landscape architect John Y. Culyer<\/strong>, who had worked with the teams responsible for both Central Park and Prospect Park in New York. The design reflected the City Beautiful Movement<\/strong>, emphasizing winding paths, open lawns, shade trees, gardens, and recreational facilities.<\/p>\n

The park quickly became the centerpiece around which one of Paterson’s finest residential neighborhoods developed.<\/p>\n

The Golden Age<\/h2>\n

Between approximately 1895 and 1930<\/strong>, hundreds of homes were constructed around Eastside Park. The neighborhood attracted many of Paterson’s leading citizens, including:<\/p>\n