Alcatraz Island facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alcatraz Island |
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Alcatraz Island from the San Francisco Bay
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 Alcatraz Island
Location in San Francisco
Alcatraz Island
Location in California
Alcatraz Island
Location in the United States
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| Location | San Francisco Bay, California, U.S. |
| Nearest city | San Francisco, California |
| Area | 22 acres (8.9 ha) |
| Established | 1934 |
| Governing body | National Park Service |
| Website | Alcatraz Island |
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Alcatraz
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The Social Hall, destroyed by fire during the Native American occupation.
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| Area | 47 acres (19 ha) |
| Built | 1847 |
| Architect | U.S. Army, Bureau of Prisons; U.S. Army |
| Architectural style | Mission/Spanish Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 76000209 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | June 23, 1976 |
| Designated NHLD | January 17, 1986 |
Alcatraz Island is a small island located about 1.25 miles (2 km) off the coast of San Francisco, California, in the United States. In the mid-1800s, it was developed with a lighthouse, a military fort, and a military prison.
In 1934, the island became a famous federal prison called Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. The strong currents and cold water around the island made it almost impossible for anyone to escape. This made Alcatraz one of the most well-known prisons in American history. The prison closed in 1963. Today, Alcatraz Island is a very popular place for tourists to visit.
Starting in November 1969, a group of Native Americans took over the island for more than 19 months. They were protesting for Native American rights and better treatment. In 1972, Alcatraz became part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. It was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1986, which means it's a very important historical site.
Today, the National Park Service manages the island. Visitors can take a ferry from Pier 33 in San Francisco to reach Alcatraz. The official ferry service is called Alcatraz Cruises.
Alcatraz Island has the abandoned federal prison, the oldest working lighthouse on the West Coast of the United States, and old military fortifications. It also has natural features like rock pools and a large seabird colony. You can see many western gulls, cormorants, and egrets there. The island is about 1,675 feet (511 m) long and 590 feet (180 m) wide. Its highest point is 135 feet (41 m) above sea level. The total area of the island is about 22 acres (8.9 ha).
Important places on the island include the Main Cellhouse (where prisoners lived), the Dining Hall, the Lighthouse, and the ruins of the Warden's House and Social Hall. Other landmarks are the Parade Grounds, Building 64, the Water Tower, the New Industries Building, the Model Industries Building, and the Recreation Yard.
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Exploring Alcatraz's Past
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The first European to explore San Francisco Bay was a Spanish naval officer named Juan de Ayala. He mapped the bay in 1775. He named a different island, today known as Yerba Buena Island, "La Isla de los Alcatraces." This means "The Island of the Gannets." Many people think it means "The Island of the Pelicans" because the old Spanish word alcatraz could mean pelican.
Later, an English explorer named Captain Frederick W. Beechey used the name "Alcatraz" for the rocky island we know today. Over time, the Spanish name "Alcatraz" became very popular. In 1827, a French captain wrote about seeing countless birds, likely pelicans, on the island. Today, California brown pelicans do not nest there. The Spanish built some small buildings on the island.
Alcatraz as a Military Fort
The island of Alcatraz was first owned by Julian Workman in 1846. He received it from the Mexican governor with the idea of building a lighthouse there. Later that year, John C. Frémont bought the island for the United States government.
In 1850, President Millard Fillmore officially set aside Alcatraz Island for military use. This was after the U.S. gained California from Mexico. The U.S. Army decided to build defenses on the island to protect San Francisco Bay. In 1853, work began to fortify the island, and the first version of Fort Alcatraz was finished in 1858. About 200 soldiers arrived to guard it.
When the American Civil War started in 1861, Alcatraz had many cannons. It also stored weapons to keep them from falling into the wrong hands. Alcatraz was meant to be a strong military site on the West Coast. The first working lighthouse on the West Coast was also built on Alcatraz. During the war, Fort Alcatraz was used to hold people who supported the Confederacy. However, its guns were never fired in battle.
Scientists have used modern technology to study the island's old fortifications. In 2019, archaeologists found hidden structures beneath the prison's recreation yard. They discovered old tunnels and ventilation ducts that were in surprisingly good condition. They also found remains of ammunition storage areas.
Because the cold, strong currents of San Francisco Bay made the island isolated, Alcatraz began holding soldiers who committed crimes as early as 1859. By 1861, it was the main military prison for the Pacific region. It held Civil War prisoners of war (POWs) that same year.
After the Civil War, Alcatraz's defenses became outdated. The army decided to change Alcatraz from a coastal defense site to a prison. Its isolation made it perfect for this new role.
In 1867, a brick jailhouse was built. In 1868, Alcatraz officially became a long-term prison for military prisoners. Some of those held there were Confederate supporters and even some Hopi Native American men in the 1870s. These Hopi men refused to send their children away to boarding schools.
During the Spanish–American War in 1898, the prison population grew from 26 to over 450. After the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, civilian prisoners were also sent to Alcatraz for safety. In 1907, Alcatraz was officially named the Western U.S. Military Prison.
In 1909, construction began on the large concrete main cell block. This building is still the most noticeable feature on the island. It was finished in 1912. The old three-story barracks, called the Citadel, was torn down to make way for the new cell block. Its first floor became the basement of the new prison, leading to stories about "dungeons" below the main cell block. The military prison closed in 1933.
During World War I, Alcatraz held people who refused to fight in the war because of their beliefs.
Alcatraz: The Federal Prison
The U.S. government took over Alcatraz in October 1933, and it became a federal prison in August 1934. Alcatraz was meant to hold prisoners who caused constant trouble at other federal prisons. On August 11, 1934, the first 137 prisoners arrived. They were escorted by many special agents and marshals.
Most of the first prisoners were well-known bank robbers and murderers. The prison started with 155 staff members, including the first warden, James A. Johnston. The staff were highly trained in security.
For 29 years, Alcatraz held some of America's most famous criminals. These included gangsters like Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly. It also held Robert Franklin Stroud, known as the "Birdman of Alcatraz." The island also provided homes for the prison staff and their families.
Many people believe it was impossible to escape Alcatraz. However, during its 29 years, the prison claimed no one successfully escaped. A total of 36 prisoners tried to escape in 14 different attempts. 23 were caught alive, six were shot and killed, two drowned, and five are listed as "missing and presumed drowned." The most violent event was on May 2, 1946, when a failed escape attempt led to the Battle of Alcatraz.
Perhaps the most famous escape attempt was on June 11, 1962. Frank Morris, John Anglin, and Clarence Anglin tried to escape. They are believed to have drowned, but their bodies were never found. In 1962, a prisoner named John Paul Scott did reach the shore. But he was so exhausted and cold that police found him unconscious. Today, the annual Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon includes a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) swim from the island to the bay shore.
Why the Prison Closed
Alcatraz closed as a prison in 1963 for several reasons. It was much more expensive to run than other prisons. It cost nearly $10 per prisoner per day, compared to $3 at other prisons. Also, half a century of salt water had badly damaged the buildings. After it closed, people suggested new uses for Alcatraz Island.
Native American Occupation
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Alcatraz Island was first occupied by Native American activists on March 8, 1964. This protest was led by Lakota Sioux activist Belva Cottier and about 35 others.
A larger occupation began on November 20, 1969. A group of Native Americans called United Indians of All Tribes took over the island. Many were college students from San Francisco. They were protesting federal policies that had forced Native Americans to move from their Indian reservations into cities.
The occupiers stayed on the island for almost two years. They wanted the island to become an Indian education center, an ecology center, and a cultural center. They claimed the island based on an old treaty and the "Doctrine of Discovery." This idea suggests that indigenous peoples knew about Alcatraz thousands of years before Europeans. The occupation started with urban Native Americans from San Francisco. Soon, other Native Americans from across the country joined them.
During the occupation, several buildings on Alcatraz were damaged or destroyed by fire. These included the lighthouse keeper's home, the warden's home, and the Officers' Club. The cause of these fires is still debated. The U.S. government tore down other buildings after the occupation ended. Graffiti from the Native American occupation can still be seen on the island today.
During this time, President Richard Nixon changed the government's policy towards Native Americans. He ended the policy that aimed to end federal recognition of tribes. He started a new policy of Native American self-determination. This change was partly due to the attention and awareness created by the Alcatraz occupation. The occupation ended on June 11, 1971.
Alcatraz Today: A National Park Site
In 1972, the National Park Service bought Alcatraz and Fort Mason from the U.S. Army. This was to create the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. President Richard Nixon provided money for this new park. Since then, Alcatraz has been managed as a tourist site and a museum. It teaches visitors about its time as a federal prison. The cost of running the island remains a big challenge.
Alcatraz Landmarks and Features
Alcatraz Island became part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1972. The entire island was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. In 1986, it was named a National Historic Landmark, which is a very high honor.
In 1993, the National Park Service made a plan to open more of Alcatraz to the public. This allowed visitors to enjoy its scenery, birds, and marine life.
Major sites on the island include:
- Boat Dock
- Building 64
- Citadel
- Dining Hall
- Former Military Chapel (Bachelor Quarters)
- Helipad
- Library
- Lighthouse
- Main Cellhouse
- Model Industries Building
- Morgue
- New Industries Building
- Officers' Club
- Parade Grounds
- Power House
- Recreation Yard
- Wardens House
- Water Tower
Island's Future and Art
Native American groups sometimes hold ceremonies on the island. These include "Sunrise Gatherings" on Columbus Day and Thanksgiving Day.
Around 2007, a group suggested tearing down the prison and building a peace center. This idea was very expensive and would have needed approval from the U.S. Congress. Many people disagreed, saying Alcatraz's history was too important to destroy. In 2008, voters rejected the idea.
The salty environment of San Francisco Bay has caused the buildings on Alcatraz to wear down. Since 2011, the National Park Service has been doing major renovations. This includes adding solar panels to the cell house roof and fixing damaged walls.
Alcatraz is now one of San Francisco's main tourist spots. In 2018, about 1.7 million visitors came to the island each year. The old prison buildings are being preserved and made safer. More areas of the island are being opened to the public. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the island was closed for over a year. It reopened in March 2021.
Art on Alcatraz
Alcatraz has hosted several art exhibits. In 2014, Chinese artist Ai Weiwei created an exhibit called "@Large." It explored ideas about human rights and freedom. This exhibit included portraits of famous political prisoners made from Lego bricks. In 2016, artist Nelson Saiers used math and prison slang in an exhibit. It highlighted the issue of long prison sentences.
Nature on Alcatraz
Wildlife Habitats
Alcatraz has several important natural areas:
- Cisterns: These moist rocky areas are home to California slender salamanders.
- Cliff tops: The northern cliffs are important nesting and resting spots for birds.
- Powerhouse area: This steep area has native grasses and wild rye. It provides a home for deer mice.
- Tide pools: These are rare in San Francisco Bay. They were created by quarrying and have many different small sea creatures.
- Western cliffs: These cliffs are almost 100 feet (30 m) high. They are nesting and resting sites for seabirds like pigeon guillemots, cormorants, and western gulls. You might also see Harbor seals on a small beach below.
- Parade grounds: This area was flattened in the 1800s and later covered with rubble. It is now a habitat and breeding ground for black-crowned night herons, western gulls, slender salamanders, and deer mice.
- Agave Path: This trail is named for its thick growth of agave plants. It's located on the south side and provides a nesting place for night herons.
Plants and Gardens
Gardens planted by Army families and later by prison guards were neglected after the prison closed in 1963. After 40 years, these gardens are being restored. This work is done by a paid staff member and many volunteers. They get funding from groups like the Garden Conservancy. The overgrown gardens had become a safe place for many birds. Now, bird habitats are protected, while many gardens are being brought back to their original state.
When clearing the overgrowth, workers found many original plants still growing. Some were planted more than 100 years ago! They discovered rare old rose types, including a Welsh rose thought to be extinct. Many kinds of roses, succulents, and geraniums grow among apple and fig trees. You can also find sweet peas, neat flower gardens, and wild areas of native grasses with blackberry and honeysuckle.
Gallery
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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.)
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Different view of the Water Tower built in 1940.
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Alcatraz Utility House and Power Plant Chimney, built in 1939.
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School House (two story building in the middle) and the Electric Repair shop (foreground) built in 1930s.
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Alcatraz, outside (2012)
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Alcatraz, hallway (2013)
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Views of both long sides of the island.
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Alcatraz Island harbor guards tower.
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Alcatraz Island view from the west. Image shot from an altitude of approximately 1,800 feet (550 m).
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Alcatraz view from tour boat.
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Basement of Alcatraz
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See also
In Spanish: Isla de Alcatraz para niños
- Asinara
- Cellular Jail
- Château d'If
- Devil's Island
- Fort Denison
- List of islands of California
- Robben Island
- San Lucas Island
