"Those from Europe generally came through East Coast facilities, while those from Asia generally entered through West Coast centers. More than 70 percent of all immigrants, however, entered through New York City, which came to be known as the "Golden Door." Throughout the late 1800s, most immigrants arriving in New York entered at the Castle Garden depot near the tip of Manhattan. In 1892, the federal government opened a new immigration processing center on Ellis Island in New York harbor."
"Ships entering port were at once put under quarantine, varying in length with
the character of the contagion feared. For the plague, from 10 to 15 days was
generally required; for yellow fever, 5 to 7 days; and for cholera, 5 days,
including the term of the voyage. (3)
Before the immigrants could depart from the ship, a health officer would come aboard to examine the vessel's bill of health. The officer had to ensure that passengers and crew were not infected with a contagious disease .. If after the examination, serious contagious diseases were discovered on board (including gonorrhea and syphilis, certain parasitic diseases, and trachoma), then the infected were removed to a quarantine hospital to be medically treated "Trachoma is a highly infectious eye condition caused by Chlamydia bacteria and spread by dirty water and eye-seeking flies" -a certain cause for deportation. The plague, cholera, and yellow fever were being specially guarded against. Many of the immigrants , upon arriving at quarantine, were so covered with vermin that they were placed in baths of water and literally scrubbed from head to foot. Besides the medical attention, they were given healthy nourishment, bed rest and good care. Once their health was completely restored, they were sent on their way. The quarantine stations on both coasts did an excellent job in controlling infectious diseases from reaching epidemic proportions in the United States. The vessel was not allowed to proceed until it had gone through the process of purification.
Many of the immigrants arrived penniless, having exhausted their savings on the journey; those few with a meager savings soon fell prey to the waterfront sharper (swindlers). The newly arrived unlettered immigrants at the landing depot, unable to speak English, as well as ignorant of the ways of their new world , became easy prey for the professional con men. Frauds of all kinds were perpetrated upon these poor "greenhorns." Con men better known as "sharper or swindlers" would wait for the opportune moment, then sweet talk these immigrants in their native tongue, convincing them that they were fellow countrymen who wanted to help them get settled in America. The con artist could get them a job and find them a place to live, he said. This way, he discovered how much money they had. The immigrants would respond to the friendly faces by bearing their souls to the "sharper," confidences that eventually left them to face a life of poverty and extreme hardships. The young immigrant girls were especially targeted by the houses of ill-repute and dance house keepers, searching for fresh young blood whom they enticed with promises of profitable employment.
Some lucky immigrants had friends and relatives waiting for them. What an emotional moment for the newly arrived immigrants to see familiar faces once again! Laughing, hugging, and crying: these relatives, who had arrived previously in America, had worked for years scrimping and saving their money to send to their families back in the old country, to pay for their passage to America.
Once these newly arrived immigrants were established in the United States, they were able to fend for themselves. By working hard, they prospered , overcoming obstacles of discrimination, illiteracy and poverty. They too were soon able to help their friends and relatives come join them. The pain and suffering, homesickness and difficulty in adjusting to the American culture would give place to a new image of leading and productive citizens, successful business people, political figures, doctors, nurses, actors and actresses, writers, historians, inventors, defenders of women rights, musicians, opera singers, composers, teachers and more. What an outstanding and unusual nation: the United States of America and its diversity was singular around the world.
Photo Credit: Landing At Ellis island:
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs
Division, Washington, D.C. 20540 LC-USZ62-12595
_______FOOTNOTES________________________
(3) The New International Encyclopedia, "Quarantine" (1902-1905): Dodd, Mead and Company-New York. Volume: XVI Page 591