Liberty Island near Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Immigrant Processing in New York
Photographed By Craig Baker, June 1, 2022
1. Immigrant Processing in New York Marker
Prior to 1855, immigrants arriving at the port of New York were free to enter the United States if their vessel was checked and cleared for all “loathsome and contagious diseases.” Between 1855 and 1890, approximately 8 million new immigrants traveling through the Port of New York were formally processed at Castle Garden in Battery Park by New York State immigration officials.
After 1890, the Federal government assumed responsibility for processing immigrants. All third class and steerage passengers bound for the port of New York were required to be inspected at the Ellis Island Immigration Station, where more than 12 million hopeful immigrants were processed between 1892 and 1954. For most, the medical and legal inspection process took only a few hours. Overall, only two percent of those immigrants were excluded from entering the United States and these were sent back at the steamship company’s expense. The overwhelming majority of immigrants were free to begin new lives in America.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.
Location. 40° 41.447′ N, 74° 2.722′ W. Marker is near Manhattan, New York, in New York County
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Manhattan Skyline (here, next to this marker); Joseph Pulitzer (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Emma Lazarus (about 400 feet away); Edouard Rene De Laboulaye (about 400 feet away); Frederic Auguste Bartholdi (about 400 feet away); Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (about 400 feet away); Inside the Statue (about 400 feet away); Symbolism (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
More about this marker. The background of the marker features a photograph of “Immigrants boarding a ferry to depart Ellis Island. Photo courtesy of the State Historical Society of Wisconsin.” Two other photographs on the marker depict “Castle Garden Immigration Station, ca. 1886.” And “Immigrants await[ing] processing [in] Ellis Island Registry Room, ca. 1912.”
Photographed By Craig Baker, June 1, 2022
2. Immigrant Processing in New York Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
3. Immigrant Processing in New York - Original Marker
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
4. Immigrant Processing in New York Marker
The Ellis Island Immigration Center can be seen in the background of this photo.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
5. Marker on Liberty Island
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
6. Ellis Island Immigration Center
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, November 7, 2011
7. Ellis Island Registry Room
Over 12 million immigrants passed through this room waiting for clearance to enter America.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 1,154 times since then and 54 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week November 12, 2017. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 1, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on November 8, 2011, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
