{Alcatraz Island}

"I named this island "La Isla de los Alcatraces"

{Island of the Sea Birds} because of their being so plentiful here."
-Spanish Lieutenant Juan Manual de Ayala, 1775

Our main adventure during our weekend in San Francisco was visiting Alcatraz Island. We took a boat for a 10 minute cruise to the island.




The island is not that big, but they managed to fit a whole lot of prison on it!


Originally, the island served as both a harbor defense fort and a military prison during the Civil War-era. In 1861 they started using the island to house prisoners. By 1912 a large three story cell house was built, and by the late 1920's, the three-story structure was nearly at full capacity. In 1934, due to rising operational costs, the Military decided to close the prison. Then in 1969 the American Indian Occupation started, hence the "Indians Welcome" painted on the side of the building.


Once we arrived, we were free to roam around island in designated areas. The main attraction is the Audio Cell House Tour. They provide you with head phones and an audio receiver to hear the tour at your own pace. The cells were ridiculously small and stacked 3 stories high. It was amazing to hear the stories of the prisoners, workers and their families (Yes! Families lived there too!) that lived on the island.



This was the cell of one of the three prisoners that escaped, but was never caught. They enlarged their vent holes with spoons until it was large enough for them to get out. They put paper mache heads in their beds to trick the guards, then escaped onto the roof. To this day, they do not know if they ever made it to dry land or where they are now.


Dean next to a statue of a guard:


After the Cell House Tour, we roamed around the rest of the grounds.


This was the home of the prison wardens that lived on the island:


Us in front of the Golden Gate Bridge:


Below is a picture of the recreation area, where they were allowed to play various games. From the top steps you could see the water and the San Francisco area. One of the prisoners in the audio tour talked about how hard it was to be able to see the beauty and freedom that existed off Alcatraz Island, just beyond the bay, all the while knowing they would never have it; it was torture for them.


After spending a few hours on the island and listening to the former prisoners tell about their experiences, it really made you think about what life must have been like for them. I am glad we were able to experience Alcatraz Island and learn the History of it all, but it sure made us grateful that we were only visiting and not there to stay!