The Federal Government assumed control of immigration in 1890 and Congress appropriated $75,000 to construct America's first Federal immigration station on Ellis Island. The present main structure was designed in French Renaissance Revival style and built of red brick with limestone trim. When it opened on December 17, 1900, officials estimated 5,000 immigrants per day would be processed. By the time it closed on November 12, 1954, 12 million immigrants had been processed by the U.S. Bureau of Immigration. Today, over 100 million Americans, one third of the population, can trace their ancestry to the immigrants who first arrived in America at Ellis Island before dispersing to points all over the country. Bain News Service, no photographer or date on caption card.