After the city acquired the island from Samuel Ellis’s family, it became a piece of federally-owned property that was the busiest immigration inspection station in the United States. It saw millions of immigrants pass through, and it is now a historical tourist destination. People came from all over the world to escape politics, economic oppression, and poverty.
The island has been used for many things, like a munition’s arsenal for the Union army and a hospital for wounded soldiers. Today, it is a way for many Americans to get a glimpse into their family’s history. People can trace their ancestors at Ellis Island through the arrival records that became public in 2001.