San Francisco Facts - the Fascinating History of Alcatraz

Everyone knows Alcatraz as the island prison in theDepartment decided to close the prison in 1934 at
San Francisco Bay but Alcatraz has a long history thatwhich time the army transferred Alcatraz to the civilian
reaches back further than its days as a federalBureau of Prisons.
penitentiary. In 1853 the Army Corps of Engineers
began a project to fortify the island. When the projectAfter 29 years of operation as a federal prison
was completed 5 years later the first soldiers arrivedAlcatraz finally closed on March 21, 1963. It simply cost
there. During the Civil War cannons were mounted alltoo much to operate the facility, nearly three times as
around the island and Alcatraz became the largestmuch as other federal prisons. Being an island,
American fort west of the Mississippi.everything had to be shipped food, clothing, supplies,
The army began sending military prisoners to the forteven fresh water. The federal government determined
on Alcatraz Island in 1860 and for many years afterit was more cost effective to build a new facility than
the Civil War the island was used more and more forto keep Alcatraz open.
detaining prisoners. In 1907 Alcatraz was formallyIn 1972 Congress established the Golden Gate National
designated as a military prison and by 1912 a largeRecreation Area and Alcatraz Island was included as
concrete cell block was constructed which is still therea part of it. In October of 1973 Alcatraz was opened
today.to the public for the first time and interest has
While under military control Alcatraz functioned mainlycontinued to grow over the years. Each year more
as a medium security prison. Over the years itthan 1.3 million people visit the island.
became too expensive to operate and the WarAlcatraz Finally Closes
Department decided to close the prison in 1934 atRobert Stroud: Better known as the "Birdman of
which time the army transferred Alcatraz to the civilianAlcatraz" Robert Stroud was transferred to
Bureau of Prisons.Alcatraz in 1942 from Leavenworth where he had
In the 1920's and 30's prohibition and the Greatspent the last 30 years. Stroud spent six years in
Depression were responsible for a steep increase insegregation D Block and eleven years in the prison
criminal activity. Alcatraz was where the mosthospital. In 1959 he was transferred to the Medical
hardened criminals ended up. No convicts were everCenter for Federal Prisoners in Springfield Missouri
sentenced to Alcatraz, all of the inmates sent therewhere he eventually died of natural causes in 1963.
were transferred there from other federal prisons.George "Machine Gun" Kelly: George R.
Alcatraz was now a maximum security prison withKelly was transferred to Alcatraz in 1934 from
minimum privileges. Prisoners at Alcatraz had only fourLeavenworth in Kansas. At just 19 years old, Kelly had
rights. Food, clothing, shelter, and medical care.separated from his first wife and then got involved in
Everything else was considered a privilege and had tobootlegging. Before long he was making a name for
be earned.himself as a gangster. When he met his second wife,
Some of Alcatraz Island's most notable residentsKatheryn Thorne who was also a seasoned criminal,
included:the pair really started to pursue their careers and
criminals not only as bootleggers but as bank robbers
The army began sending military prisoners to the fortand kidnappers. The nickname "Machine
on Alcatraz Island in 1860 and for many years afterGun" Kelly actually came from his wife Katheryn.
the Civil War the island was used more and more forShe purchased a machine gun for her husband and
detaining prisoners. In 1907 Alcatraz was formallywas making a name for him by passing out spent
designated as a military prison and by 1912 a largecartridge shells at the underground clubs as souvenirs
concrete cell block was constructed which is still therefrom her husband "Machine Gun" Kelly.
today.Many historians believe that she was the brains behind
While under military control Alcatraz functioned mainlyher husbands image and many of there successful
as a medium security prison. Over the years itbank robberies.
became too expensive to operate and the War