When we think of U.S. immigration,
we often think of Ellis Island. But Ellis Island didn’t come into play until
1892. Millions of people came to the United States in the years prior.
From 1790 to 1820,
immigration was virtually unregulated. It is estimated that between 5000 to
6000 people came freely to the young country. (These numbers do not include
enslaved people.) Due to frequent overcrowding and often inadequate provisions
on the ships that transported the newcomers, many of them arrived ill and
exhausted.
In an effort to improve the
conditions on these ships, captains were required to provide passenger lists to
the U.S. customs officials beginning in 1820. Mostly, localities were left to help
the new arrivals through entities like New York City’s Commissioners of
Emigration. A July 24, 1855 New York
Times article characterized the situation:
The
“land sharks” included swindlers, thieves, or purveyors of undesirable jobs and
atrocious accommodations.
The State of New York opened the first
immigration station in the country at New York City’s Castle Garden in 1855 in
an attempt to combat these problems.
Castle Garden began life as a military fort
known as West Battery, constructed on an artificial island off the southern tip
of Manhattan in the lead-up to the War of 1812. In 1815, it was renamed Castle
Clinton in honor of the city’s mayor. Through an act of Congress, the fort was
ceded to the city of New York in 1822. Two years later, it opened as an
entertainment center called Castle Garden.
By the
time Castle Garden began processing immigrants in 1855, the city had filled in land to
connect it with Manhattan. It served as the main immigration depot in the
United States for the next 35 years.
In
addition to accounting for the immigrants, procedures were put into place to
check the spread of contagious diseases by assessing their health conditions
while still on the ship and then being rechecked once they arrived in Castle
Garden.
Translators
were provided for arrivals who did not speak English so they could be
accurately registered. They could send letters or telegrams. Food and drink
were available. Immigrants could exchange money and buy railroad tickets
without fear of being swindled. Welfare agencies assisted those planning to
stay in New York in securing legitimate employment and satisfactory
accommodations.
By the
time Castle Garden was closed in 1890, more than 8 million people had passed
through its doors.
Today, Castle Garden is operated by the
National Park Service as the Castle Clinton National Monument.
In my August newsletter, the third installment of the prequel to The Legacy details Anna's experience at Castle Garden. Sign up for my free newsletter at: www.annmarkim.com
In my August newsletter, the third installment of the prequel to The Legacy details Anna's experience at Castle Garden. Sign up for my free newsletter at: www.annmarkim.com
