Ellis Island

This is the main building on Ellis Island.  The original Ellis Island was only 3.3 acres, but today it is nearly 28 acres, mostly created with the landfill from when the subways were made. 

From 1892 to 1954, over twelve million immigrants passed through Ellis Island.

 

I love the little models of the island.

Below, is a cutaway of a steamship like many people traveled on.  If you had money, you rode 1st or 2nd class, and you were processed on the ship.  But most people had no money, and rode steerage, crowded into the lower parts of the ship.  When they arrived, they were ferried over to Ellis Island to be processed.  About 98% of the people who passed through Ellis Island were allowed to enter the country.

 Below, is a photograph of the people in steerage coming up for air, which they got to do a couple times each day, I believe.

Here is a picture of a photograph of people waiting for their turn to be interviewed.