📖 Castle Garden: America’s First Immigration Station and the Gateway to the New World

📜 Before Ellis Island, Castle Garden welcomed millions of immigrants to America. Discover the history of this 19th-century immigrant processing center, the services provided to new arrivals, and how it shaped the immigrant experience in New York. Essential reading for historians, genealogists, and educators.

Battery and Castle Garden, New York City, circa 1892. Detroit Publishing Company # 7607. Library of Congress # 2016816901. GGA Image ID # 14b51660a7

🗽 Castle Garden, Immigrant Landing Station – 1883 🚢👥

📖 "Castle Garden: America’s First Immigration Hub and the Gateway to Opportunity"

The 1883 article on Castle Garden provides an invaluable historical perspective on America’s first immigrant processing center. Before Ellis Island became the primary entry point, Castle Garden, located in Battery Park, Manhattan, served as the gateway for millions of immigrants arriving in New York between 1855 and 1890.

This historical document is essential for teachers, students, genealogists, and historians researching:

✅ The Early Immigration Process in the United States (Pre-Ellis Island).

✅ Conditions & Experiences of 19th-Century Immigrants.

✅ The Role of the Commissioners of Emigration & Immigration Policies.

✅ Castle Garden’s Impact on New York & American Society.

✅ How Immigration Influenced Urban Growth & Ethnic Communities.

Castle Garden, situated in Battery Park on the extreme southern point of Manhattan Island, is now used as the immigrant depot. This article describes the process for new emigrants as they first find a resting place and receive their initial and usually erroneous impression of their new home.

The article also discusses the crucial role of the Commissioners of Emigration, who were responsible for overseeing the immigration process and the services provided to the immigrants at Castle Garden, the immigrants themselves, and Ward's Island.

Castle Garden, a site steeped in history, was originally a fort before being transformed into a summer garden, from which it derives its name. Despite its historical significance, it is still commonly referred to as Castle Garden. In the past, it served as a venue for civic and military displays and receptions due to the absence of a more suitable location. This rich history not only connects us to the past but also to the significant events that unfolded here, fostering a sense of connection to our historical roots.

When the Marquis of Lafayette revisited this country in 1824, a grand ball was held in his honor at Castle Garden. In 1882, President Jackson and 1848, President John Tyler were also publicly received in the Garden.

Castle Garden became a concert hall and is famous as the place where Jenny Lind made her first appearance in America. Her European reputation and P. T. Barnum's management secured an audience of such brilliance for her, which has rarely been seen in this country.

As the city expanded, the Garden's role evolved. In 1855, it was repurposed as an immigrant depot, a significant shift from its previous use as a resort. This transformation reflects the dynamic evolution of the city and the changing needs of its inhabitants, giving the audience a sense of the city's growth and change over time.

At one time, the Garden was infested with immigrant runners, who preyed upon the strangers, often unable to speak a word of English; but this has been suppressed in recent years, and the immigrant is now protected, sheltered, fed, and transported with his worldly goods to the depot, from where he departs from the city. This reassures us of the care and protection provided to the immigrants.

At times, 500 to 1,000 immigrants are sheltered at Castle Garden, and the sight is well worth seeing. They rarely, however, remain there over 24 hours. The immigrants are transferred to this landing depot, where, after an examination of their luggage, they are received by officers of the Commission, who enter in registers kept for necessary particulars for their future identification.

The names of those who have money, letters, or friends awaiting them are called out, and they are put into immediate possession of their property or committed to their friends, whose credentials have first been adequately scrutinized.

Those who desire can find clerks at hand to write letters for them in any European language and a telegraph operator within the depot to forward die-patches. Immigrants with special needs or those who require immediate assistance are identified and provided with the necessary support.

Here, also, the main trunk lines of the railway have offices at which the immigrant can buy tickets and have his luggage weighed and checked; brokers are admitted (under restrictions which make fraud impossible) to exchange the foreign coin or paper of immigrants; a restaurant supplies them with plain food at moderate prices; a physician is in attendance for the sick; a temporary hospital is ready to receive them until they can be conveyed to Ward's Island; and those in search of employment are furnished it at the labor bureau connected with the establishment.

These services, including transportation, currency exchange, healthcare, and employment assistance, are provided to the immigrant without any fee or charge.

Those who desire to start at once for their destination are sent to the railway or steamboat. At the same time, those who may choose to remain in the city are referred to boarding-house keepers admitted to the depot, whose charges are regulated under a special license and whose houses are kept under constant and rigid supervision by the Commissioners.

These services are rendered without any fee or charge to the immigrant. The present building at Castle Garden was erected for $80,000 after the partial destruction by fire of the original structure in 1876. A description of the other buildings of the immigrant department will be found under Ward’s Island. (See Also Commissioners of Emigration and Immigrants.

Commissioners of Emigration

There are 9 Commissioners, 6 of whom are appointed by the Governor. The other 8 are the Mayor of the city, the President of the Irish Emigrant Society, and the German Society ex Vick, who ' have entire control of the immigrants arriving at this port. Formerly, the Commissioners collected a tax of $1.50 per capita from the steamship companies. Still, a recent United States Supreme Court decision declared this tax illegal. The entire support of the Bureau now devolves upon the State. The cost of its maintenance is about $150,000 per annum. (See Ward’s Island, Castle Garden, and Immigrants.)

Immigrants

Before 1855, vessels arriving at this port were allowed to land immigrants at any pier. Still, by a State law enacted at that time, masters of vessels were compelled, without exception, to land them at Castle Garden.

The greatest number of immigrants landed at this port in one year was 476,086 in 1882; in 1854, the year preceding the establishment of the Castle Garden depot, it reached 819,000. The smallest number, 54,000, arrived in 1877.

Front View of the State Emigrant Refuge and Hospital Institutions, Ward's Island, New York. Immigration, and the Commissioners of Emigration of the State of New York, 1870. GGA Image ID # 14bc16b8ec

Ward's Island

Ward's Island, a nearly circular island in the East River near its junction with the Harlem River, forms the northern boundary of Hell Gate and is divided from Randall's Island to the north by Little Bell Gate. It contains about 200 acres, is well located above the high water mark, and is, in parts, finely wooded.

It is owned by the city, the Commissioners of Emigration, and private individuals. It is divided between the Commissioners of Pulie Charities and Correction and the Commissioners of Emigration. The insane asylum for males and the homeopathic hospital are under the care of the former.

Under the latter's charge are the State Emigrant Hospital, a lunatic asylum, houses of refuge, and a nursery home for children. There is also on the Island a home for invalid soldiers of the late war who served in the regiments raised in this city. The convict labor from Blackwell's is constantly being graded and imprisoned, and a seawall similar to that around is in construction.

The buildings are mainly plain, substantial brick structures, but those recently erected by the Commissioner of Correction are noticeably° large and handsome. The lunatic asylum is a splendid firebrick structure with gray-stone trimmings and several highly ornamental wings. It usually contains about 1,100 patients.

Standing back from the shore, these buildings are almost hidden from view in fine old trees, and the scene is more than ordinarily attractive. In the institutions under the charge of the Commissioners of Emigration, sick and impoverished aliens arriving in this country are cared for. (See Commissioners OF Immigration )

Permission to visit the Island may be obtained from the Commissioners of Public Charities and Correction at their office at 3rd and 11th Streets. Thence, by boat from the foot of E. 26th St., The pass must be specially endorsed to gain admission to the lunatic asylum. A fair view of the Island may be obtained from the Harlem boats, starting from near Peck slip about hourly. The fare is 10 cents.

New York State Emigrant Hospital and Refuge Ward's Island

The New York State Emigrant Hospital and Refuge on Ward's Island was Founded in 1847. Ferry foot of 110th street, E. R. In charge of the Commissioners of Emigration. Receives emigrants who have resided in this country for less than one year. The expenses of maintaining this State institution on the island are met partially by appropriations made by the State and by a capitation tax of fifty cents, levied by an act of Congress of August 8, 1882—capacity: 1,200 beds. The service includes medical, surgical, obstetrical, and insane departments.

Appletons' Dictionary of New York and Vicinity (with maps), Fifth Edition, New York: D Appleton & Co., 1883

🏛️ Castle Garden: A Gateway to America

📌 Originally a fort, later a concert hall, and finally transformed into an immigration depot in 1855.

📌 Housed thousands of immigrants daily, offering protection from fraud and exploitation.

📌 Preceded Ellis Island as America’s primary immigration hub, processing millions of newcomers.

📌 Key Historical Moments at Castle Garden:

Hosted Lafayette’s grand ball in 1824.

Welcomed Presidents Jackson & Tyler.

Hosted Jenny Lind’s legendary American debut, managed by P.T. Barnum.

📌 Transition to an Immigration Center

✅ Shifted from a social and entertainment venue to a crucial processing center in response to New York’s immigration boom.

✅ Protected new arrivals from “runners” who preyed upon immigrants unfamiliar with English and American systems.

✅ Provided essential services to immigrants, ensuring they had shelter, food, and travel arrangements.

🧳 The Immigration Experience at Castle Garden

🚶 Step-by-Step Process for New Arrivals

1️⃣ Arrival & Shelter – Up to 1,000 immigrants housed temporarily before moving forward.

2️⃣ Registration & Examination – Officials documented names, finances, and family connections.

3️⃣ Reuniting with Friends & Family – Officials scrutinized credentials before releasing immigrants to awaiting relatives.

4️⃣ Letter Writing & Communication – On-site clerks assisted immigrants in writing letters in multiple European languages.

5️⃣ Railway & Travel Arrangements – Main rail lines operated within the depot, ensuring safe onward travel.

6️⃣ Currency Exchange & Fraud Prevention – Strict regulations prevented financial exploitation.

7️⃣ Healthcare & Temporary Hospital – Medical personnel screened for illness, with a hospital on Ward’s Island for those needing long-term care.

8️⃣ Employment Assistance – A labor bureau helped immigrants find work.

📌 Impact on Immigrants:

✅ Streamlined entry process made transitioning into American life easier.

✅ Protected immigrants from scams and dangerous exploitation.

✅ Ensured safe travel arrangements for those moving beyond New York.

🌍 Who Controlled Immigration at Castle Garden?

👥 The Commissioners of Emigration

📌 Nine commissioners oversaw immigration at Castle Garden, including:

• The Mayor of New York City 🏙️.
• The President of the Irish Emigrant Society 🍀.
• The President of the German Society 🇩🇪.

📌 Key Responsibilities:

✅ Processed and documented new arrivals.

✅ Collected a per capita tax from shipping companies (until deemed unconstitutional in 1882).

✅ Regulated boarding houses & labor brokers to prevent exploitation.

✅ Managed hospitals and asylums on Ward’s Island for sick and impoverished immigrants.

📌 The Economics of Immigration

✅ New York spent about $150,000 annually to maintain the immigration bureau.

✅ A capitation tax of 50 cents per immigrant helped fund services.

✅ State and federal governments began to assume responsibility for immigration over time.

🏥 Ward’s Island: The Forgotten Side of Immigration

📌 Served as a medical facility & refuge for sick, injured, and impoverished immigrants.

📌 Housed a State Emigrant Hospital, an asylum, and a home for invalid soldiers.

📌 Provided medical, surgical, and obstetric care for newly arrived immigrants.

📌 Many immigrants who arrived sick were transferred here for treatment before being allowed into the country.

📌 How It Helped Immigrants:

✅ Prevented widespread disease outbreaks in New York City.

✅ Gave immigrants a chance to recover and integrate into society rather than be deported immediately.

📷 Noteworthy Images & Their Significance

📖 "Battery and Castle Garden, New York City, circa 1892"

👉 Significance: Shows the iconic entry point for immigrants before Ellis Island, connecting millions to their first moments in America.

📷 "Castle Garden’s Interior & Processing Areas" (not shown but historically relevant)

👉 Significance: Illustrates how the facility managed thousands of new arrivals daily.

📷 "Ward’s Island and the Immigrant Hospital"

👉 Significance: Highlights the overlooked aspect of immigrant healthcare and welfare.

🧑‍🏫 Why This Article Matters for Educators, Historians & Genealogists

📖 For Teachers & Students

✅ Offers an early immigration case study before Ellis Island.

✅ Explores how immigration policies evolved over time.

✅ Discusses the impact of immigration on urban growth & labor markets.

📜 For Genealogists

✅ Castle Garden processed over 8 million immigrants – records help trace ancestors arriving in the U.S. before 1890.

✅ Passenger records, name changes, and early travel documentation available.

🏛️ For Historians

✅ Provides insight into pre-federal immigration policies.

✅ Examines New York’s early efforts to protect & process immigrants.

✅ Connects to broader narratives of 19th-century migration & settlement patterns.

🛳️ Final Thoughts: Castle Garden’s Place in Immigration History

📌 Castle Garden was more than just an immigrant landing station—it was the first real effort by the U.S. to systematize immigration, protect new arrivals, and manage the influx of people seeking a better life.

📌 This 1883 account provides a rare glimpse into how America treated its immigrants before federal oversight, showing both the compassion and challenges faced by those arriving in a new world.

📌 For anyone researching immigration history, family ancestry, or the evolution of U.S. immigration policy, this article serves as an invaluable record of one of the most significant entry points in American history. 🗽🚢✨