Ellis Island Timeline By schlake24 Mar 7, 1770 On that date a merchant used to own the land. Period: Mar 7, 1770 to Mar 12, 2014 Ellis Island Timespand!!! This is the time spand for my timetoast timeline. Jan 25, 1808 Ellis Island got sold to New York's government. New York sold Ellis Island to there goverment. Dec 20, 1891 Annie Moore was aboard the S.S Nevada Jan 1, 1892 Ellis Island became NewYorks best immagration place Jan 1, 1892 The first day that it officially opened Mar 12, 1954 The middle part of Ellis Island closed. CLOSED!!! Feb 27, 1976 There were more than 50,000 visitors there Apr 17, 2001 The American History Center opened for visitors to explore there. Oct 28, 2011 The Peopling America Center was an expansion expansion. Mar 12, 2014 The station has been a museum since 1954