Castle Garden Image Library

Introduction

The "Castle Garden Image Library" on GG Archives provides a collection of historical photographs and illustrations related to Castle Garden, the first official immigration center in the United States, located in New York City. This resource offers a visual narrative of the immigrant experience at Castle Garden during the late 19th century, capturing the daily life, conditions, and diverse backgrounds of the immigrants who passed through this gateway to America.

Books, brochures, articles, and other ephemera illustrated the conditions and experiences of immigrants who chose to enter the United States via Castle Garden in New York from 1855 through 1890. Students and Family Historians are welcome to use these illustrations for their reports and family histories.

Colorized Postcard of Castle Garden From the Water ca. 1850. Drawing Shows Castle Garden, Now Known as Castle Clinton in Battery Park, in Lower Manhattan, New York, From the Water. Drawing on Wove Paper: Watercolor Over Graphite Underdrawing. Library of Congress # 2004662215. GGA Image ID # 14b552393a

Before Jenny Lind's Triumph, Old Castle Garden Was the Immigrant Depot for Arrivals in the New World. Jenny Lind (1820-1887), the Swedish Opera Singer, performed her first show at Castle Garden in September 1850. She concluded her American Tour with a final, unforgettable concert at Castle Garden on 24 May 1852, marking the end of an era before she returned to Europe. GGA Image ID # 1d865ca030

The First Appearance of Jenny Lind in America at Castle Garden Was on 11 September 1850, With Total Receipts of $26,238. At the Concert, 7,000 People Crammed Into the Castle Garden to Hear Jenny Lind Sing. The Opera Star Received $10,000 for Her Performance, Which She Gave to New York Charities. Color Lithograph, New York Public Library Digital Collections. The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Print Collection, the New York Public Library. GGA Image ID # 14dd21ccde

Jenny Lind at Castle Garden, 1850. Castle Garden at the Battery, New York City, was renamed from the Old Castle Clinton, ceded to the City in 1812. The place Was Used for Public Entertainment Until 1855 When It Became an Immigrant Depot. The Aquarium Now Occupies the Site. The Journal of American History, First Quarter, 1917. the Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Picture Collection, New York Public Library. NYPL # 800788. GGA Image ID # 14e83eee39

New York State Emigrant Landing Depot, Castle Garden, circa 1855. INS Reporter, Fall 1976. GGA Image ID # 14b2119850

Interior View of Castle Garden Immigrant Depot circa 1855. INS Reporter, Fall 1976. GGA Image ID # 14b22f82b7

Registering Emigrants at Castle Garden. Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 20 January 1866. GGA Image ID # 14b6092d2a

Passing the Inspecting Physician at Castle Garden. Frank Leslies Illustrated Newspaper, 20 January 1866. GGA Image ID # 14b5b595ca

The Labor Exchange -- Emigrants on the Battery in Front of Castle Garden, New York. Sketched by Stanley Fox. Harper's Weekly, 15 August 1868. GGA Image ID # 1480305951

The Labor Exchange -- Interior View of the Office at Castle Garden, New York. Sketed by Stanley Fox. Harper's Weekly, 15 August 1868. GGA Image ID # 14805c4868

The Emigrant Landing Depot, Castle Garden, New York. Visible Signage on the Building Includes "Labor Exchange Arbeiter Bureau" on the Left, "Commissioners of Emigration of the State of New York," "Emigrant Landing Depot & Offices," "Castle Garden," and "Entrance for Emigrants Only," in the Center. On the Right, "Ward's Island Department - Entrance to Offices." Immigration, and the Commissioners of Emigration of the State of New York, 1870. GGA Image ID # 14bca341ce

Castle Garden Baggage Room -- Receiving and Storing Luggage of Arriving Emigrants. The sign Above the Door Reads, "Entrance to the Baggage Room." Immigration, and the Commissioners of Emigration of the State of New York, 1870. GGA Image ID # 14bcc7d179

Castle Garden Baggage Room -- Discharging Emigrant Luggage for City Delivery. Immigration, and the Commissioners of Emigration of the State of New York, 1870. GGA Image ID # 14bcd571ec

Front View of the State Emigrant Refuge and Hospital Institutions, Ward's Island, New York. Immigration, and the Commissioners of Emigration of the State of New York, 1870. GGA Image ID # 14bc16b8ec

Verplanck State Emigrant Hospital at Ward's Island, New York. Immigration, and the Commissioners of Emigration of the State of New York, 1870. GGA Image ID # 14bc7936a5

Castle Garden Immigrant Depot, NY. nd circa 1870s. Stereograph by A. J. Fisher, NY. Library of Congress # 2017648898. GGA Image ID # 148286dd3a

Castle Garden Immigration Station, No Date, Circa 1870s. National Park Service. GGA Image ID # 14dd9359b2

A German Immigrant Family At Castle Garden. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, March 1871. GGA Image ID # 14b40de14a

A Clerk at Castle Garden Registers the Name of Incoming Immigrants. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, March 1871. GGA Image ID # 14b41ae410

Interior View of Castle Garden. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, March 1871. GGA Image ID # 14b46c8b0e

Exterior View of Castle Garden from the Battery. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, March 1871. GGA Image ID # 14b44093f9

The Railroad Ticket Office at Castle Garden. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, March 1871. GGA Image ID # 14b44490c8

Currency Exchange Broker's Office at Castle Garden. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, March 1871. GGA Image ID # 14b4530efa

The Mecklenburger Farmer at Castle Garden. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, March 1871. GGA Image ID # 14b4713d1f

Immigrants Reading Letters from Friends. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, March 1871. GGA Image ID # 14b4767b2e

Friends and Family Members Are Meeting at Castle Garden. Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, March 1871. GGA Image ID # 14b47e5589

Immigrant Runner at Castle Garden. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, March 1871. GGA Image ID # 14b47f5054

View of Castle Garden circa 1875 from a Stereograph, American Scenery Series, New York City. Library of Congress # 2017659443. GGA Image ID # 1494be25c1

Giles and His Friends at the Village Inn Discussing Plans to Immigrate to America. Scribner's Magazine, September 1877. GGA Image ID # 14773bc5f9

A Peep at New York from Castle Garden Embrasure. Scribner's Magazine, September 1877. GGA Image ID # 14778d395e

What Is It? Young Immigrants at Castle Garden. Scribner's Magazine, September 1877. GGA Image ID # 14779c8fb7

Immigrant Boarding House Near the Battery in New York. Scribner's Magazine, September 1877. GGA Image ID # 14780c77e9

Plate Representing the Landing of General Lafayette at Castle Garden. Scribner's Magazine, September 1877. GGA Image ID # 147855d530

Transferring Emigrants from an Inman Steamer to the Castle Garden Barge. Sketch by Clarence O'Dowd. Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 1 May 1880. GGA Image ID # 14ba36a7dd

Scene at the Castle Garden Railroad Ticket Office. Sketch by Clarence O'Dowd. Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 1 May 1880. GGA Image ID # 14ba370fa6

The Sea-Wall of the Battery. Sketch by Clarence O'Dowd. Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 1 May 1880. GGA Image ID # 14ba5edb80

View of Castle Garden from the Park. Sketch by Clarence O'Dowd. Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 1 May 1880. GGA Image ID # 14bab6d5f6

An Emigrant Hotel on Greenwich Street. Sketch by Clarence O'Dowd. Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 1 May 1880. GGA Image ID # 14bac0158e

Emigrants Embarking at the Railroad Station in New York for Their New Home in the West. Sketch by Clarence O'Dowd. Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 1 May 1880. GGA Image ID # 14bacbf143

Examining Emigrants at Castle Garden. Sketch by Clarence O'Dowd. Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 1 May 1880. GGA Image ID # 14bb0922d8

Registering Emigrants at Castle Garden. Sketch by Clarence O'Dowd. Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 1 May 1880. GGA Image ID # 14bb52b313

Immigrants Landing at Castle Garden. Drawn by A. B. Shults. Harper's Weekly, 29 May 1880. GGA Image ID # 1482c22ab1

Scenes of Immigrants at Castle Garden. Drawn by A. B. Shults. Harper's Weekly, 29 May 1880. GGA Image ID # 14b373418d

New York City -- The Great Work of the State Commissioners of Emigration -- Superintendent Jackson Listening to the Complaints of Emigrants in His Office at Castle Garden. Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 27 November 1880. GGA Image ID # 14ff92ba22

Henry J. Jackson, Superintendent of the Bureau of Emigration, Castle Garden. Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 27 November 1880. GGA Image ID # 14ffd48f80

Landing Immigrants at Castle Garden. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, June 1884. GGA Image ID # 14bb9d02ed

Inspection of Immigrants Baggage at Castle Garden. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, June 1884. GGA Image ID # 14bba5aa87

Castle Garden Inspector Searches Female Smuggler. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, June 1884. GGA Image ID # 14bbbc9a02

A Room Full of Seized Goods at Castle Garden. Harper's New Monthly Magazine, June 1884. GGA Image ID # 14bbd3932a

Castle Garden -- Their First Thanksgiving Dinner. Drawn by St. John Harper. Harper's Weekly, 29 November 1884. GGA Image ID # 14800ae015

A Farmer from the Interior Seeking a Wife at Castle Garden, New York. Frank Leslie's Sunday Magazine, June 1885. GGA Image ID # 14bd0b013f

View of the Battery and Castle Garden -- The Haven of Incoming Millions. Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly, March 1888. GGA Image ID # 14bd4c4de7

View of Castle Garden -- Several Barges Bringing More Immigrants Docked in Front. Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly, March 1888. GGA Image ID # 14bd9e5f28

The Money Exchange at Castle Garden. Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly, March 1888. GGA Image ID # 14bda6e48c

A Farmer from the Interior Seeking a Wife at Castle Garden. Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly, March 1888. GGA Image ID # 14beab1e6d

Scandinavian Immigrants at Castle Garden -- Their Destination -- Utah. Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly, March 1888. GGA Image ID # 14becd5adc

Italian Immigrants Sprinting Towards the Railway Depot from Castle Garden. Frank Leslie's Popular Monthly, March 1888. GGA Image ID # 14bedbb176

Where The Blame Lies. Grant E. Hamilton (Artist). Published New York: Sackett & Wilhelms Litho. Co., 1891 April 4. The cartoon shows a man holding a top hat in one hand and gesturing toward a horde of arriving immigrants labeled "German socialist," "Russian anarchist," "Polish vagabond," "Italian brigand," "English convict," "Irish pauper," etc., at Castle Clinton in New York City. A scowling Uncle Sam leans against a building, and at his feet is a sheet of paper on which is written, "Mafia in New Orleans, Anarchists in Chicago, Socialists in New York." The man (Judge) says to Uncle Sam: "If Immigration was properly Restricted, you would no longer be troubled with Anarchy, Socialism, the Mafia, and such kindred evils!" Library of Congress # 97515495. GGA Image ID # 14ea4f8532

Battery and Castle Garden, New York City, circa 1892. Detroit Publishing Company # 7607. Library of Congress # 2016816901. GGA Image ID # 14b51660a7

The Battery and Castle Garden (Castle Clinton), New York, circa 1900. Detroit Publishing Company # 032601. Library of Congress # 2016807309. GGA Image ID # 14b4f9528c

Battery and old Castle Garden, New York, NY, c1900. Detroit Publishing Co. # 012489. Library of Congress # 2016799505. GGA Image ID # 14b5299ef0

The RMS Ivernia, a Transatlantic Ocean Liner Operated by the Cunard Line, Was Launched in 1899 and Entered Service in 1900. By Circa 1906, the Vessel Had Accommodations for Approximately: 200 First-Class Passengers, 200 Second-Class Passengers, and 2,350 Third-Class (Steerage) Passengers. This Configuration Reflects Its Primary Role As an Immigrant Transport Ship, Catering Mainly to Steerage Passengers Traveling From Europe to North America. the Ivernia Frequently Operated Routes Between Liverpool and Boston, With Stops at Queenstown (Cobh), Ireland. Cunard Daily Bulletin, Ivernia Edition, 28 June 1905. GGA Image ID # 21ed05ac79

Castle Garden Image Library

A Visual Gateway to Immigration History

The "Castle Garden Image Library" offers an unparalleled collection of historical photographs, illustrations, and sketches that vividly document the immigrant experience at Castle Garden, America’s first official immigration center. This visual archive spans from Castle Garden’s early days as a military fort to its transformation into a bustling immigrant depot, presenting a rich tapestry of cultural, social, and historical narratives.

This resource is an invaluable tool for teachers, students, genealogists, family historians, and anyone interested in exploring the history of immigration, providing a unique visual insight into the lives of immigrants who shaped the nation.

Why Explore This Image Library?

1. A Visual Learning Tool for Teachers and Students:
   • The images vividly depict the conditions and processes at Castle Garden, offering an immersive perspective for history lessons.
   • Perfect for classroom discussions about 19th-century immigration and its impact on American society.
2. A Treasure Trove for Genealogists and Family Historians:
   • Use these illustrations to enhance family narratives or connect with ancestors who may have passed through Castle Garden.
   • Explore visuals that contextualize the immigrant journey, from registration to onward travel.
3. A Must-See Resource for History Enthusiasts:
   • Witness historical moments like Jenny Lind’s legendary performance or the bustling Labor Exchange through detailed illustrations.
   • Gain a deeper understanding of the immigrant experience, from hardships to hopeful new beginnings.

Key Highlights of the Collection

• Iconic Scenes of Immigration:
  • Illustrations of immigrant registration, baggage handling, and medical inspections.
  • Depictions of cultural diversity, from Scandinavian families to Italian laborers.
• Historical Events and Milestones:
  • Visuals capturing Jenny Lind’s 1850 performance at Castle Garden.
  • Sketches of Castle Garden’s transformation into an immigrant depot in 1855.
• Daily Life at Castle Garden:
  • Scenes of immigrants reading letters, preparing meals, and meeting family members.
  • Images of the Labor Exchange, showcasing its role in connecting immigrants with employment.
• Architectural and Urban Context:
  • Views of Castle Garden from the Battery and surrounding areas, emphasizing its prominence in New York City.
  • Interior and exterior sketches that highlight the facility’s design and operations.

Call to Action

This image library is a visual history lesson that brings to life the stories of millions who sought a new beginning in America. It offers a lens into the resilience, diversity, and determination of immigrants and the critical role Castle Garden played in shaping the nation. Whether you’re a teacher, student, genealogist, or history enthusiast, exploring this collection will provide inspiration and understanding of the immigrant journey. Dive into these powerful visuals and uncover the legacy of Castle Garden!