Alcatraz History

Interesting Facts About Alcatraz Prison

Alcatraz history is so much fun and this page will give you a brief history of Alcatraz Prison before you take one of the Alcatraz tours. The history of Alcatraz Prison is so interesting to me. On this page I give you an overview of Alcatraz's Island's history which I have found to be totally fascinating!

I have taken the Alcatraz Prison tour many times and I never get tired of it.

Taking a tour of Alcatraz Prison is something you just can't miss doing if you are going to visit San Francisco. It is one of those uniquely fun San Francisco things to do.

A Welcome Sign!

Alcatraz History Facts

Received its name in 1775 when Juan Manuel de Ayala who was a Spanish explorer charted the San Francisco Bay. He named the very small island "La Isla de Los Alcatraces" which means "Island of the Pelicans."
In 1847 (seventy two year later) the U.S. Army realized it's value and decided to use it as a military fortification. Army engineers began building a military fortress and also the first operating lighthouse on the Pacific coast.
After a few years Alcatraz was the United States' symbol of its military power on the west coast. The island had long-range iron cannons that only shot one 400-pound cannon that missed its target. There were also four huge 36,000 pound 15-inch Rodman guns which could sink ships that were three miles away.
Civil War prisoners were held there starting in 1861.
During the Spanish-American War the population in the prison went from 26 to over 450.
After the catastrophic earthquake in 1906 many civilian prisoners were placed on the island so they could be confined safely.
A three-story structure was almost full during the late 1920's.

Alcatraz Prison Dining Hall
After each meal all of the silverware was accounted for by the correctional officers.
San Franciscans didn't like having an ugly focal point that happened to be an Army prison in the middle of the gorgeous San Francisco Bay. To stop their complaints the military had soil brought from Angel Island and many plants cultivated to make the island more pleasing in appearance from San Francisco.
When Alcatraz Prison was run by the military prisoners were allowed in their cells for sleeping only with the exception of being when they were in lockk-down mode.
During the 1920's a baseball field was built and prisoners were permitted to wear baseball uniforms.
Boxing matches happened on Friday nights sometimes between prisoners.
Because of rising expenses to run the prison the military chose to close it in 1934 and the Department of Justice became the new owners.
Prohibition, the Great Depression and the gangster era were all factors for the need of a very harsh detention facility.
Alcatraz was nicknamed "Uncle Sam's Devil Island" at one time.
The cellhouse had 600 cells and none of them were adjoined to any of the perimeter walls. The reason for this was that if the prisoners got through their own cell wall they still had to get through the outside walls of the prison.
After each meal all of the silverware was accounted for by the correctional officers.