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Immigration to Ellis Island peaked between 1892 and 1924, during which time the 3.3-acre island was enlarged with landfill (by the 1930s it reached its current 27.5-acre size) and additional buildings were constructed to handle the massive influx of immigrants.
Where were immigrants processed before Ellis Island opened? Before Ellis Island opened, immigrants were required to be processed by the State, not the federal government. Castle Garden (originally and presently known as Castle Clinton) was a fort built for the War of 1812, located in Battery Park, NY.