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Overview
Alcatraz Island offers a close-up look at the site of the first lighthouse and US 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.
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Radio Free Alcatraz
Listen to our draft of episode number one of , our upcoming podcast. (if you click on the link it should run in your default audio player, or right click to save the MP3 file to your computer). No special software or hardware is needed, you don't even need an iPod! This episode features an interview with a prison era volunteer that changed the life of an inmate, a bit of music about Alcatraz from Arigon Starr ("Native American Diva"), and we finish with a bit of classic Abbott and Costello!
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Museum Collections at the Rock
This online exhibit features the extensive collections from Alcatraz Island. Collections include objects made by notorious inmates, historic photographs and documents, escape materials and inmate artwork; items used by officers including correctional materials when Alcatraz was a federal penitentiary from 1934–1963; military prison period materials from 1859–1934; and the American Indian occupation of 1969–1971. .
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Indians of All Tribes
In the 1800s American Indians prisoners were often held at the military prison on Alcatraz. In 1964, a year after the penitentiary closed, and again in 1969, Alcatraz was "liberated" by Indians of All Tribes, changing the course of U.S. history by helping to establish tribal rights of self determination. An award winning video/exhibit, WE HOLD THE ROCK, shows daily on Alcatraz Island in an exhibit area near the dock.
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Civil War Living History Day
The story of the Post on Alcatraces – as it was officially known, is largely untold. Alcatraz was the first U.S. fort on the West Coast, fully garrisoned in 1859. Join the National Park Service and Friends of Civil War Alcatraz on Saturday October 4 for period music, cooking demonstrations, artillery demonstrations, and special military tours during our second Civil War Living History Day on Alcatraz Island. Book you tickets in advance at .
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Write to
Alcatraz Island, Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Fort Mason, B201
San Francisco, CA 94123
E-mail Us
Phone
Ranger Station
(415) 561-4900
Ferry Tickets/Reservations
(415) 981-7625
Fax
(415) 705-1050
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Climate
Alcatraz can be windy and cool, warm and clear, and wet (fog and rain) most any time of year - even on the same day! We recommended wearing layers as conditions can change quickly.
In general summers tend to be cool and foggy, winters cool and rainy, but nice days can happen any time of year.
"The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco."
(While usually attributed to Mark Twain, the actual source of these words of wisdom is unknown - there is no evidence that Mark Twain ever said this.)
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Did You Know?
In 1909 the U.S. Army began construction on the largest reinforced concrete structure in the world - a new military prison necessary because of a large influx of U.S. soldiers convicted of crimes in the Philippines. This building would become the famous U.S. Penitentiary Alcatraz in 1934.
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Last Updated: September 07, 2008 at 19:44 EST |
