Description

Essentials about Ellis Island in brief

Along with Liberty Island directly south of it, Ellis Island is probably the most famous island in the United States of America. For more than 60 years, the small island off Manhattan was the first point where immigrants first touched American soil. From 1892 to 1954, Ellis Island was the headquarters of the immigration offices for New York State, and for more than 30 years it was also the central collection point for immigrants to the United States. More than 12 million people went through United States immigration formalities here. Since 1990, the island has been open to the public as a museum (Ellis Island Museum of Immigration) dedicated to the history of immigration to the United States.

The history of Ellis Island

Prisons and ammunition depots until the 19th century

Ellis Island is located in Upper New York Bay between New York City and Jersey City. The island has an area of 11 hectares, most of which was created by artificial land reclamation. The island was named for Samuel Ellis, who acquired the land in 1770 during the American Revolution. After his death in 1807, the state of New York took over the island and sold it to the federal government of the United States a year later. From then on, the island was used first as a prison and later as an army ammunition depot.

Immigration institution at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century

Before U.S. immigration policy began, it was up to each state to decide how to deal with immigrants. Immigrant numbers were small at first. It was not until 1820 that immigrants began to be counted. By 1892, immigrants had entered the city for several decades through Castle Clinton, a former concert hall in The Battery on Manhattan’s southern tip that had been converted into a warehouse.

When immigration numbers increased tremendously in the late 19th century, Castle Clinton became overburdened and a decision was made to establish a larger collection point outside the New York City area. Tightening immigration laws demanded more thorough screening, and so Ellis Island presented itself, as immigrants could not enter the city area from here unseen. Since the island area was insufficient for the required buildings, land reclamation began. By 1900, the necessary buildings on Ellis Island were completed. They were designed for a total capacity of about 500,000 immigrants per year, but at times almost twice that number had to be handled annually.

Internment camp during the Second World War

During both World Wars, parts of the island served as an internment camp for foreigners from countries with which the U.S. was at war. During World War II, it was also used as a hospital and collection center for injured U.S. soldiers. After the war, its original use as an immigration facility was initially resumed, but was finally terminated in 1954 because low immigration no longer justified the cost of maintaining it. In 1956, Ellis Island was finally decommissioned. Since 1965, the island has been open to visitors and is managed by the National Park Service as part of Liberty Island National Monument.

The immigration process on Ellis Island

The immigrants called Ellis Island the “Isle of tears,” because it was here that their fate was decided after a two-minute interview and a medical examination. Right at the beginning, the immigrants had to climb a steep 50-step staircase to the registration room, where they were observed by doctors. If someone had problems, it indicated a heart condition and they were examined more intensively. The medics checked for infectious diseases, looked at hands, face and hair. If someone was suspicious, they would get a chalk mark painted on their right shoulder, which stood for a certain ailment. The others went through a door marked “Push to New York” and were admitted.

The whole process of official immigration could take several days. During this time, those seeking entry could be sorted out at any time. In some cases, passengers had to remain on their ships for days before they were even allowed ashore. However, first and second class passengers, people with money or reputation, did not come ashore via Ellis Island, but directly to Manhattan after a short visitation.

After passing Ellis Island, immigrants usually went directly to the areas of the city where other immigrants of their nation already lived. For German immigrants, this was primarily Litte Germany on the Lower East Side. Once there, many families stayed for only a short time, preparing to move on to settlement areas. They often followed acquaintances or relatives who had arrived earlier or took up government offers that directed the flow of workers to certain areas with benefits.

The buildings on Ellis Island

The buildings on Ellis Island are divided into four sections: North of the landing basin is the main building with the museum buildings. At the head of the basin is the reception building, and on the island section to the south of it are two blocks of buildings. The more southern one on the waterfront is formed by 18 buildings connected by covered walkways in a pavilion-like manner.

The museum includes an electronic archive of all immigrants cleared on the island, which is also available via the Internet (see the website). Those who wish to pay special tribute to their ancestors can do so with an entry on the American Immigrant Wall of Honor. For a donation of $150, one receives a name entry on what is reportedly the world’s largest wall inscribed with names.

For many Germans, Ellis Island is certainly worth a visit. In the period from 1820 to 1880, 3.1 million immigrants from Germany came to the USA. Thus the Germans were numerically the strongest immigrant group at all. In the 2000 census, about 43 million Americans claimed to have German ancestors.

Website

libertyellisfoundation.org

Opening hours

Opening hours end May – beginning Sep:

Admission fees

Adults: $18.50

Seniors (Ages 63+): $14.00

Children (Ages 4 – 12): $9.00

Tickets include ferry travel to Ellis Island and Liberty Island and access to the Ellis Island Museum of Immigration. For more information on ticket options, please visit the website.

Address

Getting there

By public transport:

Ferry line: Ferries depart from The Battery at the southern tip of Manhattan

By car:

Inaccessible.