The Immigrant Depot at Castle Garden, New York

Before Ellis Island was established, our early Grecesi ancestors along with other immigrants to America landed at Castle Garden . It was set up in 1855 on a small island at Battery Park at the southern tip of Manhattan and was the first immigrant landing depot in the world. Originally a fort called Castle Clinton, Castle Garden was about three hundred feet off shore. It was connected to the Battery by a wooden causeway to protect new arrivals from the thieves and swindlers who crowded the docks waiting to take advantage of them .

At Castle Garden our Grecesi ancestors were able to '....enjoy themselves in the depot by taking their meals and cleansing themselves in the spacious bathrooms...'. There also was a Labor Exchange where they could sign up for employment. '....a free market for emigrant labor, open to employers from all parts of the United states...' Farm laborers were hired 'for wages varying from $6 to $10 per month in winter; from $12 to $18 in summer (besides board and lodging)...Families consisting of husband and wife, and sometimes including one or more small children were hired for $15 to $24 per month....'

At Castle Garden they could exchange money and there was a railroad booking and ticketing counter where they could make travel arrangements to their new destinations in America.

Castle Garden closed in 1890.

(Wood engraving and quotes from 'Harper's Weekly', August 15, 1868)
- Cugino Dick 9/30/97