Why Ellis Island
Ellis Island is a historical destination situated in New York Harbor within both New Jersey and New York. Managed by the National Park Service as part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, the federally owned island served as the primary immigration inspection and processing station in the United States. Between 1892 and 1954, approximately 12 million arriving travelers passed through its facilities, and it is estimated that two-fifths of all American citizens descend from these individuals.
Spanning 27.5 acres (11.1 hectares), the C-shaped island features two main landmasses separated by a central ferry basin. Most of the current land area was created through reclamation projects conducted between the late 19th century and the 1930s. Following a United States Supreme Court ruling regarding state sovereignty, the boundary divides the property: the original 4.68-acre natural section on the northern end forms an exclave of New York, while the surrounding 22.8 acres of filled land belong to New Jersey.
Prior to its federal administration, the location was known to the native Mohegan as Kioshk and was later called Little Oyster Island during the colonial period. It was renamed after Samuel Ellis purchased it in 1774. Before its development as an immigration gateway, the island supported military defenses, including Fort Gibson and a naval magazine. The original wooden processing complex opened in 1892 but was destroyed by fire in 1897, leading to the construction of a new facility in 1900. In later years, the site was used as a detention center and held prisoners of war during both World Wars before operations ceased in 1954.
Today, the northern section of the island houses the National Museum of Immigration inside the fully restored main building, alongside several secondary structures and the Wall of Honor. The southern section contains the historic Ellis Island Immigrant Hospital structures, which are accessible to visitors through guided public offerings such as the Hard Hat Tour.
Public access to Ellis Island is available exclusively via ferry services operated by Statue City Cruises, which depart from the Battery in Lower Manhattan and Liberty State Park in Jersey City. While there is no fee to enter the national monument, passengers must purchase tickets for the ferry service. A non-public bridge links the island directly to New Jersey, though it remains closed to general visitors.
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