Angel Island Immigration Station
San Francisco skyline on the way over to Angel Island from Tiburon
A few weeks ago Margaret attended a voice over class in Sausalito so I had the day to head over to Angel Island. The Angel Island Immigration Station was recently restored. It’s very well done and quite moving to see how people were treated while trying to immigrate. Not a real proud moment in our history but it is what it is and to their credit the State Parks Department didn’t sugar coat it.
Between 1910 and 1940 the Angel Island Immigration Station was where immigrants were detained if they were sick, their papers weren’t in order or they were Chinese. After 1924 immigrants were detained there if they were from anywhere in Asia. Families were separated and kept in locked, cramped, unsanitary quarters. The immigration station was called the “Ellis Island of the west” but the treatment of Asians, Russians, Mexicans and other immigrants was not welcoming at all. If you were European or held first and second class tickets you would be processed on board ship and allowed to disembark in San Francisco. If not you you were taken to Angel Island for processing. Sometimes it would take months to finally get approval to immigrate. Many folks were sent back to their native country. Here’s more information on their journey to America.
During their confinement under lock and key many took to carving poetry in the wall. As you wander around the barracks you can see the graffiti on just about all the walls. Most were painted and plastered over but the markings are still visible. It’s very moving to see what must have been desperate times.
Detained in this wooden house for several tens of days,
It is all because of the Mexican exclusion law which implicates me.
It’s a pity heroes have no way of exercising their prowess.
I can only await the word so that I can snap Zu’s whip.
From now on, I am departing far from this building
All of my fellow villagers are rejoicing with me.
Don’t say that everything within is Western styled.
Even if it is built of jade, it has turned into a cage.
– From the walls of Angel Island Immigration Station, author unknown
Some of the graffiti carved in the walls.
Sometime ago Margaret and I brought our bikes and rode around Angel Island. We hiked up to the top of Mt. Livermore where the views of the Bay Area are spectacular. This time I was alone and on foot so only hiked about a third of the way and turned around to catch the ferry back to Tiburon so I could pick Margaret up. You can hike around the island in about three or four hours at a leisurely pace. Longer, of course, if you stop along the way. The ferries run from Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco and Alameda in the East Bay but Tiburon is the closest and most frequent runs starting at 10am. Tiburon is a nice little town too.
Really enjoyed my day on Angel Island. Next time we’ll bring the bikes again.
November 12 2011 05:47 am | Special Places
Eddie Wong on 14 Nov 2011 at 10:08 am #
Thanks for providing a link to our website. Thanks also for the fine article.
take care,
eddie
Margaret and Tom on 14 Nov 2011 at 10:35 am #
You’re most welcome, Eddie. The Immigration Station is very well done and the history is fascinating.