Page "Ellis Island" Paragraph 6

In the 35 years before Ellis Island opened, over eight million immigrants arriving in New York had been processed by New York State officials at Castle Garden Immigration Depot in lower Manhattan, just across the bay.

The Federal Government assumed control of immigration on April 18, 1890 and Congress appropriated $ 75, 000 to construct America's first Federal immigration station on Ellis Island.

Artesian wells were dug, and landfill was hauled in from incoming ships ' ballast and from construction of New York City's subway tunnels, which doubled the size of Ellis Island to over six acres.

While the building was under construction, the Barge Office nearby at the Battery was used for immigrant processing.