From 1892 untill 1954 Twelve Million Immigrants
a the United States through Its Gates

Gull Island.  In 1628 the Germans renamed it Oyster Island and in 1765 the hanging of the Pirate, Anderson, transformed it into Gallows Island.  Its present name appeared for the first time 20 years later, on January 20, 1785, when it became the property of Samuel Ellis. 

But it didn’t end there.  In 1898 the city of New York, who had bought it from Ellis’ heirs, ceded it to the Federal government for $10,000 and a few years later it was turned into a fort with the new name of Fort Gibson.  It became Ellis Island again for the final time in 1861, after the, fort was dismantled; 15 years later it became a munitions depot for the US Navy. 

It’s role as Gateway to the American Dream began only in January, 1892.  The first immigrant to be admitted to the USA by the customs officials on Ellis Island was an Irish girl named Annie Moore. 

From that moment till 1954, the year it was closed down, twelve million people entered the United States through its gate.  Today the Immigration Station of Ellis Island has become a museum dedicated to the history of immigration.