Textile Industries Founded in New Jersey

The Textile industry was founded in northeastern New Jersey in the 19th century as businesses spread along the Passaic River.  Paterson and Passaic, New Jersey were clear leaders as mill towns by the end of the 19th century and into the early 20th century.  Famous woolen mills were built in Garfield, Passaic and Paterson.  

Among them were the Botany Mills, Forstmann Woolen Mills, and Gera Mills.  Carpets were woven at Karagheusian in Freehold.  Ribbons were made at Columbia Ribbon and beautiful silks printed at Oriental Silk in Haledon.  Clark Thread was located in East Newark until moving to Georgia in the late 1940s.  Linen Thread was spun by the Barbour family in Paterson.