The 2 islands viewed from World Trade Center observatory
Not the real thing, but still interesting
New arrivals
Going through the Registry Room one can imagine the thousands who went before
People must have looked out these windows with longing and hope while waiting their turn
During the height of the European Immigration inspectors had only seconds to screen people
Further screening was done by doctors
Those who couldn't draw a diamond were marked with an "X" and weeded out
The unfortunates who didn't make it
The Isle of hope for those who got in, but of bitter disappointment for those who didn't
Bunks in an actual dormatory
Not much of a facility for 20+ people
Bring me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses...
Apparently, 1 in 20 Americans can trace their lineage to someone who came through Ellis Island
The original layout of the Island
The first expansion
With the increase in immigrants, more medical and quarantine facilities were needed.
The final layout
That light makes an interesting sun
Saying goodbye to the Island was much easier for me than for all those immigrants
