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Alcatraz

  • Also Known As: Alcatraz Island National Historic Landmark also Pacific Branch, U

  • Type: Island
  • Travel Genus: Sight
  • Sight Category: Historic District

Explore the Mysteries of Alcatraz

Alcatraz Island offers a close-up look at the site of the first lighthouse and US built fort on the West Coast, the infamous federal penitentiary long off-limits to the public, and the 18 month occupation by Indians of All Tribes which saved the tribes. Rich in history, there is also a natural side to the Rock - gardens, tide pools, bird colonies, and bay views beyond compare. - NPS


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Alcatraz
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Timeline

Y/M/D Person Association Description Composition Food Event
Y/M/D Person Association Description Composition Food Event
1854/00/00 United States Army Architect US Army builds a citadel to protect San Francisco, early 1850s
1911/00/00 US Army, Bureau of Prisons Architect US Army demolishes the Citadel, but leaves the basement level to serve as the foundation for a new military prison. From 1909 through 1911, the military prisoners on Alcatraz built the new prison.
1934/08/22 Al Capone Inmate Alphonse Capone arrives at Alcatraz, cell No 433. His mental and physical health are declining due to syphilis. Al Capone's Trip to Alcatraz
1934/09/04 George Kelly Barnes Inmate George Kelly Barnes arrives at Alcatraz. Kelly, or AZ No 117, will become a model inmate.
1938/02/00 Al Capone Health Alcatraz prisoner 85, Alphonse Capone is recognized paretic, a late stage of syphilis. He probably developed general paresis at least 6 months earlier.
1939/01/06 Al Capone Parolee Released from Alcatraz, Al Capone is transferred to Terminal Island Prison in San Pedro, California.
1942/00/00 Convicted murder Robert Stroud, the Birdman of Alcatraz, arrives at Alcatraz. He will stay here the next 17 years (6 years in segregation in "D Block" and 11 years in the prison hospital).
1963/03/21 Alcatraz closes due to structural deterioration

Data »

Particulars for Alcatraz:
Area of Significance Commerce
Criminal Justice Correctional Facility
Area of Significance Engineering
Owner Federal
Structure Type Fortification
Sight Category Historic District
Criteria Historic Event
Physiographic feature Island
Area of Significance Military
Historic Use Military facility
Architectural Style Mission-Spanish Revival
Level of Significance National
Area of Significance Social History



US National Registry of Historic Places Data »

Accurate at time of registration: 23rd June 1976

PLACE DETAILS
Registry Name: Alcatraz
Registry Address: Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay
Registry Number: 76000209
Resource Type: District
Owner: Federal
Architect: U.S. Army,Bureau of Prisons; U.S. Army
Architectural Style: Mission-spanish revival
Area in Acres: 47
Contributing Buildings: 18
Contributing Sites: 5
Contributing Structures: 28
Non-Contributing Structures: 2
Other Certification: Designated National Landmark
Certification: Listed in the National Register
Nominator Name: National Historic Landmark
CULTURAL DETAILS
Level of Significance: National
Area of Significance: Commerce, Engineering, Military, Social history
Applicable Criteria: Event
Criteria Consideration: Significance of less than fifty years
Period of Significance: 1950-1974, 1900-1924, 1875-1899, 1850-1874, 1825-1849, 1925-1949
Significant Year: 1847, 1934, 1971
Historic Function: Government, Defense
Historic Sub-Function: Fortification, Correctional facility, Military facility
Current Function: Recreation and Culture, Landscape
Current Sub-Function: Museum Park

Creative Works »

WorkTypeAsNotedInCreatorNote
Point Blank Film John Boorman Setting and Filming Location
The Year of Fear (book) Verfabula Alcatraz was the prison for the inmates that society had given up on.

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