Castle Garden, Immigrant Landing Station - 1883

 

 

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, as well as 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 connects us to the past and the significant events that took place here.

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

Castle Garden became a concert hall and, as such, is famous as the place where Jenny Lind made her first appearance in America when her European reputation and P. T. Barnum's management secured for her an audience of such brilliance as has rarely if ever, 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 evolution of the city and the changing needs of its inhabitants.

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 properly 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 without any fee or charge to the immigrant.

Those who desire to start at once for their destination are sent to the railway or steamboat, while 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 the 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 decision by the United States Supreme Court 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

Prior to 1855, vessels arriving at this port were allowed to land immigrants at any pier, but 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; prior to that, in 1854, the year preceding the establishment of the Castle Garden depot, it reached 819,000. The smallest number, 54,000, arrived in 1877.

 

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 the process of 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 especially 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 destitute 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 that effect 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. Fare, 10 cents.

 

NEW YORK STATE EMIGRANT HOSPITAL AND REFUGE Ward's Island.—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.