Alcatraz Island Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Alcatraz Island
IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
Alcatraz Island from Tiburon Ferry
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Location	San Francisco Bay, California, US
Nearest city	San Francisco, California
Area	22 acres (8.9 ha)
Established	1934 (1934)
Governing body	National Park Service

Alcatraz Island (sometimes just called Alcatraz or The Rock) is a small island in San Francisco Bay in California. It was first a lighthouse, then a military fort, then a military prison, and finally a federal prison. In 1963, it became a museum.

The name Alcatraz comes from the original Spanish name of the island, Isla de los alcatraces (Island of the pelicans). It was given that name when a Spanish explorer, Juan Manuel de Ayala, noticed the great amount of pelicans roosting on the island.

The famous Alcatraz prison opened in August 1934 and closed on 21 March 1963. At first, the island served as a war prison for confederate soldiers during the Civil War. At the turn of the century, it would become the most famous and posthumously, most infamous prison in American history. Some of the most famous inmates at Alcatraz are Al Capone and George 'Machine Gun' Kelly. The prison was eventually shut down in 1963 after the State of California and the US Congress agreed that it costs too much to run. Soon after, Native American Indians used the prison and the island for a huge protest in favor for Native American rights. After being kicked out from the grounds, the prison was vacated and was never used again.

People still love to go see the prison. It draws in millions into the San Francisco area. People enjoy the tales of possible ghost encounters on the prison grounds. It has been a huge haunting site because spirits are said to have left behind wandering the prison.

Alcatraz Island is one of many islands in the San Francisco Bay area.

Images for kids

Alcatraz Island, 1895
Alcatraz in the dawn mist, from the east. The "parade ground" is at left.
Alcatraz Island and lighthouse at sunset
The water tower and powerhouse (at right), which generated electricity for the island
A model of Military Point Alcatraz, 1866–1868, now on display at Alcatraz Island
Model of the prison in present day, on display at Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz citadel built in the early 1850s; 1908 photo
An exterior view of the Alcatraz main cell block from the exercise yard
Cell 181 in Alcatraz where Al Capone was imprisoned
A lingering sign of the 1969–71 Native American occupation
Brandt's cormorant nesting on Alcatraz Island
Flowers on Alcatraz
A panorama of Alcatraz as viewed from San Francisco Bay, facing east. Sather Tower and UC Berkeley are visible in the background on the right. (Drag image left and right to show full panorama.)
Different view of the Water Tower built in 1940.
Alcatraz Utility House and Power Plant Chimney, built in 1939.
School House (two story building in the middle) and the Electric Repair shop (foreground) built in 1930s.
Alcatraz, outside (2012)
Alcatraz, hallway (2013)
Views of both long sides of the island.
Alcatraz Island harbor guards tower.
Alcatraz view from tour boat.
Basement of Alcatraz

Alcatraz Island facts for kids

Images for kids

See also