Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
3. Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
Situated in Upper New York Bay, for decades Ellis Island served as the gateway to the Un-
ited States for an estimated 12 million immigrants from around the world.
The island was originally significantly smaller, and was once the home of Fort Gibson (a
strategic military post). Through land reclamation, which is the process of creating land from
a body of water, the island was expanded from 3.3 acres to the 27.5 acres that is today.
Immigrants who arrived at the processing center spent hours in line, waiting to be asked the
29 questions that would determine their fate in the new world. The questions related to their
occupation, family members, and of course the amount of money that they had on them, as it
was important to the government that new immigrants had the means to support themselves.
Sick individuals were transported to the on-site hospital, while those who were approved
entry and were in good health were sent on their way to start their new lives. The Ellis Island
Immigrant Hospital is closed for visitation, and is actually undergoing extensive restoration
and renovation efforts.
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