The Reality Capture of Ellis Island
Chapter 1: Hurricane takes a hit on history
Author: Justin Barton, June 2016
For 62 years, New York Bay’s small Ellis Island was the United States’ first and primary immigration inspection centre, processing more than 12 million immigrants from 1892 to 1954. Today, the island with its Main Immigration Building and many ancillary structures is a U.S. National Monument and receives 3.5 million plus visitors annually as part of the U.S. National Park Service (NPS).
Hurricane takes a hit on history
In 2012, Hurricane Sandy bombarded the East Coast of the United States and swept over Ellis Island with fierce winds and tidal surges upward of nearly 4.3 metres. Damage was sustained throughout the National Monument, including the already dilapidated Georgian Revival hospital buildings from 1900-1909, the Main Immigration Building and the 1950s park housing. Basements of nearly every structure were flooded.
The historic park housing is now slated for demolition due to the extent of the damage. Basic infrastructure like electric, sewer and phone systems was destroyed while brick pedestrian pathways were ripped up from the ground.
It was a year before the park could reopen to the public.
Explore next chapter: Reality capture for rehabilitation and interpretation
Story: The reality capture of Ellis Island
Chapter 1: Hurricane takes a hit on history
Chapter 2: Reality capture for rehabilitation and interpretation
Chapter 3: From field to office to archive
Reporter 75 - June 2016
Download your own "Reporter 75" as a PDF file.
Download your own "Reporter 75" as a PDF file.
Contact Leica Geosystems?
Find your Leica Geosystems contact for sales, support and technical service.
Find your Leica Geosystems contact for sales, support and technical service.