Washington Avenue Immigration Station facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Washington Avenue Immigration Station
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Pier 53 (at Washington Ave. & Columbus Blvd.)
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 Washington Avenue Immigration Station
Location in Philadelphia
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| Country |  United States |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| County | Philadelphia County |
| City | Philadelphia |
The Washington Avenue Immigration Station was a special building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was a place where people arriving in the United States from other countries would first come. This station was located at Pier 53, right on the Delaware River. It opened in 1873 and was used until 1915.
Welcome to America: The Washington Avenue Immigration Station
In 1873, two American shipping companies started bringing many people to the U.S. The most important one, the American Line, opened Philadelphia's first immigration station. This station was at Pier 53 on Washington Avenue. The Pennsylvania Railroad also helped, as they wanted more people to use their trains. New immigrants could buy train tickets right at the station to travel to different places in the U.S.
For 42 years, from 1873 to 1915, the Washington Avenue Immigration Station was a major entry point. Over one million immigrants came through this station. This was about 5% of all immigrants who came to the United States during that time. When immigrants arrived, they were checked for diseases. They were also asked questions about where they came from. This was to make sure they could enter the country. Sometimes, unmarried women were not allowed to enter alone. Because of this, a part of the station became known as "the altar." Many quick wedding ceremonies happened there!
Even though the American Line started routes to Ellis Island in New York in the 1890s, they kept sending ships to Philadelphia. In the early 1900s, they even added more ships with local names. These included the Southwark, Kensington, Haverford, and Merion. Many immigrants from Eastern and Southern Europe came through this station. They sailed from ports in Britain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy. Other shipping companies also brought passengers directly to Philadelphia. These included the British White Star Line, the Belgian Red Star Line, and the German Hamburg-America Line.
When World War I started, fewer people immigrated. In 1915, the station building was closed and taken down. However, immigrants still arrived in Philadelphia until 1921. After the station closed, new arrivals were processed right on their ships after they docked. Later, new laws about immigration meant far fewer people came to the U.S. Immigration to Philadelphia eventually stopped. Today, a special marker tells people where the old immigration station used to be.
Pier 53 Today: A Park for Everyone
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For many years, Pier 53 was not well cared for. But in 2010, it was turned into a beautiful new park! This park is now called Washington Avenue Park. Visitors can enjoy amazing views of the Delaware River. The park also has walking paths, benches, and a raised boardwalk. It's also a safe place for local animals and plants.
The most important part of the park is a sculpture called "Land Buoy." A New York artist named Jody Pinto created it. It's a tall, spiraling staircase that goes up to a 55-foot spire. At the very top, there's a soft blue light. This light helps boaters find their way. It also remembers the old immigration station. It's a memorial to the one million people who first entered the country here a century ago.
Washington Avenue Park was the first step in a bigger plan called Washington Avenue Green. This plan aims to protect public spaces along the Delaware River. By 2017, Washington Avenue Green had grown. It now stretches from Pier 53 south along the river to Pier 70.
Images for kids
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Remains of the old pier
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Remains of Pier 53 and the new 'Land Buoy' sculpture
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The elevated walkway and 'Land Buoy' at Pier 53
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The 'Land Buoy' spiral staircase up close
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