Ellis Island Expansion: Fill Came from Subway Excavation, Not Liberty Island

Correction: Ellis Island was expanded from 3.3 to 27.5 acres primarily using excavated material from New York City's subway construction (IRT lines, 1900s–1930s)—not from Liberty Island.

The island's northern half is artificial fill. The original 3.3-acre natural island (where the main building stands) is surrounded by landfill. A 1998 Supreme Court ruling (NJ v. NY) awarded most of the filled area to New Jersey.