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Background -

In the 19th century, the US was a popular destination for immigrants, especially from European countries.

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Regulation -

The Immigration Act of 1891 led to the creation of a federal office of immigration. Enforcement of the act was the responsibility of inspectors placed in ports of entry.

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Ellis Island opens -

In January 1892, Ellis Island, America’s first immigration station, opened in New York Harbor.

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The first immigrant -

The first immigrant to pass through Ellis Island was a teenager from County Cork, Ireland, named Annie Moore. She remains a symbol for all immigrants.

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First Ellis Island -

The first Ellis Island immigration station opened in 1892, but was destroyed by a fire in 1897. Over five years, 1.5 million immigrants were processed in that first station. Sadly all immigration records were lost.

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Second station -

The second Ellis Island immigration station opened in 1900. The new center, built in a French Renaissance style, received a daily average of 1,000 to 4,000 immigrants.

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Peak -

In 1907, immigration reached an unprecedented peak in the country, with 1.3 million people entering the US through Ellis Island.

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Expansion -

Ellis Island was expanded over time. The structure included a hospital, refectory, waiting rooms, and barracks with beds.

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New Immigration Act -

When the Immigration Act of 1924 came into force, it implemented nationality quotas in an attempt to reduce immigration.

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New Immigration Act -

Ellis Island then went from being mainly a primary inspection center, to a detention center where immigrants were held and some deported.

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Closure -

Ellis Island, as an immigration station, closed down on November 12, 1954.

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The gateway to America -

Now, let’s take a look at some photos of life inside Ellis Island.

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Italian woman and children -

Anna Schiacchitano and her children Paolo, Mary, and Domenico, arrive at Ellis Island from Sicily in May 1908. Anna is joining her husband, Giovanni Gustozzo, in Scranton Pennsylvania.

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The American dreams comes to an end -

A group of men wave goodbye to the Statue of Liberty in 1952, as the Coast Guard takes them from Ellis Island to a ship in Hoboken, New Jersey, to be deported.

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Christmas dinner -

A group of immigrants have their first Christmas dinner on US soil.

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Children sitting -

A group of children sit on a window ledge at Ellis Island.

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Welcome to America -

A group of immigrants tagged with free railroad passes smile while waiting to leave Ellis Island.

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Money exchange -

A group of immigrants line up at "Money Exchange" teller windows at Ellis Island in 1907.

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Dormitory -

Pictured: bunk beds in a dormitory where immigrants would stay while being processed, circa 1935.

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Money exchange -

Immigrants stand in line to exchange money after arriving in the US in 1911.

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Italian passengers -

Seven steamships carrying 7,000 people arrive at Ellis Island on July 1, 1922. Pictured are the passengers of Italian transatlantic ocean liner SS Conte Rosso.

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School -

A school for children of detainees. There were about 500 immigrants on Ellis Island at the time this picture was taken in December 1947. Some were awaiting entrance to the US; others, deportation.

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Bird's-eye view -

An aerial view of Ellis Island and the New York Harbor. This picture was taken on October 18, 1933.

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Greek immigrants -

A group of Greek immigrants poses for a photo at Ellis Island in the 1920s.

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Slovak woman -

A portrait of a Slovak immigrant at Ellis Island.

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Inspection -

Immigrants are inspected for signs of disease as they arrive in the US, circa 1900.

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Dining hall -

Ellis Island's dining hall staff pose for a photo in 1907.

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Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration -

The Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration opened on September 10, 1990.

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Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration -

Visitors can delve into the history of US immigration and the relevance of Ellis Island when it comes to American history.

Sources: (The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation)

See also: Famous immigrants who make America great

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