Before Ellis Island
Castle Clinton was originally built as a fort as defense from the British in the War of 1812. When the war ended, the U.S. Army ceded the fort to New York City. After being used as an opera house, theater, and public cultural center, the renamed Castle Garden became America's first immigrant receiving center in 1855.
Castle Garden in its different uses: an opera house, theatre, and public cultural center
Photographs from this slideshow are from the book Immigration: Selected Documents and Case Records by Edith Abbott
Photographs from this slideshow are from the book Immigration: Selected Documents and Case Records by Edith Abbott
From August 1, 1855 through April 18, 1890, immigrants arriving in the state of New York came through Castle Garden. America's first official immigrant examining and processing center welcomed approximately 8 million immigrants - mostly from Germany, Ireland, England, Scotland, Sweden, Italy, Russia and Denmark. As immigration rates increased, it became clear that an expansion was needed. Castle Garden processed its last immigrant on April 18, 1890; Ellis Island, the new, six-acre facility, succeeded Castle Garden opening in 1892.
Castle Garden's location in Battery Park