Ellis Island Immigration Station

Description

Ellis Island has had numerous names throughout its history. Its current iteration was established in the 1770s, when Samuel Ellis became the island's private owner. The Federal Government purchased the island in the early 1800s to fortify its harbor defenses, and when it took over immigration control from the State in 1890, immigrant arrivals were shifted to Ellis Island. The original 1892 wooden structures actually burned down five years after being erected.

Opened, Jan 1, 1892

Burned, June 15, 1897

Rebuilt, Dec 17, 1900

The second set of buildings were built in 1900. The island's original 3.3 acres were built up with landfill to 27.5 acres to accommodate the more than 12 million arrivals who would pass through in the decades to come, bearing witness to the change from the Irish and German arrivals of the mid-century to new hopefuls from Italy and Eastern Europe. Ellis Island shut its doors as an immigration facility in 1954.

Signed into Law, 1950

The McCarran Internal Security Act bars immigrants with previous links to communist and fascist organizations from entering the country; Ellis Island is renovated for detainees, transformed into a detention center.

Closed, Nov 12, 1954

Ellis Island Immigration Center closes after 12 million immigrants passed through its doors since its opening in 1892.

Renovation, 1990

After decades of decay, Ellis Island's main building was restored and refurbished by Beyer Blinder Belle, reopening in 1990 as a museum and historic destination.

Designations

National Historic Landmark

National Parks Service

National Register of Historic Places

Factoids

Aug 22, 1926 -He was briefly detained on Ellis Island on August 22, 1926, during a later visit, so authorities could investigate an accusation of "moral turpitude," a legal concept involving behavior that contradict accepted moral standards.

1917-The Red Scare, fueled by post-Russian Revolution fears of communist infiltration, led to a surge in immigration detention and deportation. Ellis Island, a primary entry point for immigrants, was repurposed as a detention center, with Commissioner of the Immigration Service Frederic C. Howe writing, "I have become a jailer," to describe his shift in role.

1921-The First Quota Act was passed, effectively ending America's open-door policy by setting monthly quotas. It limited the admission of each nationality to three percent of its representation in the 1910 Census.

Related Playlist

Ellis Island Immigration Station Compilation

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37-24, 24th St, Suite 102, Long Island City, NY 11101