Passaic County is named for the Lenape Native American word “pasaeck” meaning “valley”.
Surrounding County Courthouses:
N – Orange County, New York and Rockland County, New York
E – Bergen County
S – Essex County and Morris County
W – Sussex County
Created: February 7, 1837 
County Seat:
Paterson 1837 – present
Old County Courthouse – Paterson
Location: 71 Hamilton Street / De Grasse Street
Built: 1898 – 1903
Style: Classical Revival
Architect: Samuel Burrage Reed
Contractor: William H H Van Houten of Paterson
Description: The building faces southwest and is a three story structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds and is constructed in the shape of a cross. The east and west porticoes have six columns rising to a wide pediment at the roof line. A balustrade runs along the roof line. At the center is a large dome.
Note: The bid for construction was $295,139. The Van Dyk Furniture Company supplied the furniture and Michael Torrance of Paterson did the masonry work.
County Courthouse – Paterson
Location: 71 Hamilton Street / De Grasse Street
Built: 1966 – 1968
Style: Modern
Architect: Neil S Greydanus
Contractor: Thomas Construction Company
Description: The building faces east and is a seven story concrete and glass structure. The building is located on the south side of the old courthouse. The first story is recessed. The windows are vertical and the roof line is flat. In 1974, the sixth story was added. The architect was Greydanus & Di Geronimo and the contractor was Senia Building Construction, Inc.
County Administration Building – Paterson
Location: 401 Grand Street / Prince Street
Built: 1992 – 1994
Style: Modern
Architect: Lawrence Tromeur
Contractor: Prismatic
Description: The building faces south and is a nine story concrete and glass structure. The building is located on the south side of the old courthouse.
Old County Courthouse Annex – Paterson
Location: 65 Hamilton Street / Ward Street
Built: 1997 – 1899
Style: Dutch Baroque Revival
Architect: Fred Wesley Wentworth
Contractor: McIlvain and Unkefer of Pittsburg.
Description: The building faces north and is a four story red colored brick and stone structure. The building is located on landscaped grounds. The north front has a high central tower with entrance on the first story and with tiered section at the top. On the west is a high Flemish style peak. The roof is hipped. In 1936, the building was purchased and became the Courthouse Annex.
Old County Courthouse – Paterson
County Courthouse – Peterson
County Administration Building – Paterson
Old County Courthouse Annex – Paterson
Photos taken 2017