Carol Fountain 

June 11, 2014

Why Not Ellis Island?

People lined up with their meager possessions, waiting in long lines of humanity, eager to learn of their fate, being poked, prodded, questioned and examined. This is the picture that comes to mind when we hear the word immigrant. When most people think of the history of immigration to America, their thoughts immediately go to New York City’s Ellis Island, through which thousands of immigrants made their way to the New Land called America. Images of Ellis Island appear in television, documentaries, and movies. But there are other important ports in the United States which also welcomed the mass of immigrants: Baltimore, Boston, New Orleans, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and particularly, Galveston, Texas. What brought immigrants through the port of Galveston?  I have driven to Galveston all of my life, in search of sand, surf and sun, barely thinking of the history of the island and its contribution to the history of Texas and America. I have walked the Strand, acknowledging the beauty of the old buildings but never knowing the influence of the Victorian architecture or the Civil War history contained there. I have driven by the sign pointing to Pelican Island and for the most part ignored it, not knowing that it was an integral part of the history of immigration through Texas.

Holland immigrant Felipe Neri, who later changed his name to Baron de Bastrop, worked to establish the port of Galveston. “As a result…thousands of people with varying cultures were able to move to Texas” (Kownslar 48). The port of Galveston served as an immigration point in the second half of the 19^th century until the early 20^th century. Over 150,000 immigrants passed through this immigration station until the facilities closed just after WWI. Most of the immigrants were European people who left their homelands to seek a new life, freedom, and land ownership. Many were met with resentment upon their arrival from the existent landowners and politicians. Forced migration brought many African Americans to Texas, and Galveston became one of the state’s major location of slave trade and auctions. Immigrant inspections at what is now called Pelican Island resulted in many being turned away or deported (Blog). Eventually, trans-Atlantic immigration through Galveston ceased as immigration along the border of Mexico increased.

More specifically, Pelican Island, one of the nation’s busiest immigration stations, served as a quarantine station for European Immigrants in the early 1900s.  In the first decade of the 1900s Pelican Island became federal property, and the immigration center and quarantine station were constructed. Between 1906 and 1914 nearly 50,000 immigrants came to Galveston consisting of European transplants which included approximately 10,000 Jews. Galveston was considered the “second Ellis Island” until the flow of immigration ceased around WW1. There had been plans to build a large and impressive immigrant landing station there, but the plans never materialized. The station that was there existed until 1913, was damaged by hurricane in 1915, and closed in 1916.  Its buildings were demolished by the City of Galveston in the early 1970’s (Morton).

Jacob Schiff, one of the most influential Jews in America, thought that the North was becoming overpopulated with Jews which led to a fear of more strict immigration laws. For that reason, he encouraged Jewish immigrants to go through Galveston and continue their journey to set up their homes in communities in Colorado, North Dakota, Kansas, and North Texas (Schneider).

The history of Galveston is rich, and the story of the immigrants who came through her port contributes to her colorful history. The study of immigration to America cannot be complete without consideration of those who came through the Port of Galveston and their disbursement after they arrived.

Works Cited

Andrew, Schneider. "Ellis Island on the Gulf: Remembering the Galveston Movement." KUHF News for Houston, 1 Dec. 2013. Web. 11 June 2014. <app1.kuhf.org>.    

Kownslar, Allan O. The European Texans. College Station: Texas A & M University Press, 2004. 48. Texans All. Print.   

Blog.hmns.org/2010/09/forgotton-gateway-coming-to-America-through-Galveston-. Ed. Gale L. Peterkin. Anthropology, 24 Sept. 2010. Web. 11 June 2014. 

Manaster, Jane. "The Galveston Immigration Movement." Galveston Movement. Texas State Historical Association, 15 June 2010. tshaonline. Web. 11 June 2014. <http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/umg01>.    

Morton, GG. "Marker Number 7469." Galveston Immigration Stations. Texas Historical Markers, 28 May 2007. Web. 11 June 2014.