The Long History of Alcatraz Island, California

Alcatraz - Page 9

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Golden Gate National Recreation Area

On October 12, 1972, Congress created the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the island became part of the National Park Service. After some slight modifications to the facility to make it safe for the public and razing of the guard’s residences that were deteriorated beyond repair, the park opened in the fall of 1973. Since that time, it has become one the most popular of the Park Service sites, with more than a million visitors every year.

Along with its rich history and the prison itself, visitors also marvel at the wildlife, expansive gardens and dramatic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, downtown San Francisco, the Bay Bridge, and Treasure Island.

Fort Point and Golden Gate today, March, 2005, Jon Sullivan.

This image available for photographic prints

and downloads HERE!

As one looks east towards the San Francisco Bay, it is easy to imagine the island as the location of a luxurious resort. But as visitors continue their tour, the reality of the cell house, solitary confinement cells, and the pitch black “hole” quickly brings back the reality of the Island and its past.

The “thrill” of Alcatraz has been portrayed in a number of Hollywood movies over the years, such as 1962’s “Birdman of Alcatraz,” Clint Eastwood’s popular 1979 film, “Escape from Alcatraz,” “Murder in the First” in 1995, and “The Rock” in 1996. Though none of these movies are completely accurate in their historic details, they have provided a glimpse at prison life upon the “Rock.”

Many former inmates of the prison that are still alive today find it extremely hard to grasp the idea of why so many people would want to visit a place that represented to them only anguish and despair. To them, the term “recreation area” is an oxymoron in the extreme.

But, visit we do, so much so that if you are planning a trip to the island, reservations are recommended days in advance as the tours fill up fast. The tour provides a brief orientation from a park ranger, a ranger-led or self-guided tour, and an orientation film. An audio tour is also available for a couple of extra dollars that is well worth it, as guards and former prisoners share their experiences of the prison.

Today, the military base barracks, prison cell house, the oldest lighthouse on the west coast, and several other buildings remain.

But, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, is much more than just Alcatraz Island, it also is one of the largest urban parks in the world, with acreage spanning 2 ½ half times the size of San Francisco County.

Not one situated in one continuous location, the numerous sites of the park that contains 739 historic structures, including 5 National Historic Landmarks and 12 National Register Properties, stretches from northern San Mateo County to southern Marin County, and includes several areas of San Francisco. Encompassing 69 miles of bay and ocean shoreline, the park features military fortifications that span centuries of California history, various cultural landscapes, numerous archeological sites, the homeland of the Coastal Miwok and Ohlone people, and displays collections of more than 3 million historic objects, documents, images and specimens.

Point Bonita Lighthouse, July, 2009, Dave Alexander.

North of the Golden Gate Bridge in Marin County, the park includes Bolinas Ridge, Forts Baker, Barry, and Cronkhite; Gerbode Valley, Kirby Cove, Marin Headlands, Muir Woods National Monument, Beach and Overlook, the Nike Missile Site, Olema Valley, Point Bonita Lighthouse, Stinson Beach, and Tennessee Valley

South of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco County, are the sites of Alcatraz Island, Baker Beach, Battery Chamberlin, China Beach, the Cliff House & Sutro Baths, Crissy Airfield, Beach and Field Center; Forts Funston, Mason, and Point;
Lands End, Ocean Beach, the Pacific West Regional Information Center, Sutro Historic District, and the Presidio of San Francisco.

South of San Francisco, in San Mateo County, the park includes Milagra Ridge, Mori Point, the Phleger Estate, and Sweeney Ridge.

Contact Information:

Alcatraz Island National Park Service

Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Fort Mason, Building 201

Alcatraz
San Francisco, California 94123

Visitor Information - 415-561-4900
Reservations - 415- 705-5555

Also See:

Ghosts of Alcatraz

Fort Baker - Protecting the California Coast

Fort Point - Standing Guard at the Golden Gate

Presidio of San Francisco - Serving for Two Centuries

Book Your San Francisco Lodging HERE!

A cell in Alcatraz, July, 2009, Kathy Weiser.

Alcatraz Lighthouse with burned out Warden's home

behind it, July, 2009, Kathy Weiser.

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From the Rocky Mountain General Store

Old West Books - Legends of America and the Rocky Mountain General Store has collected a number of Old West books for our frontier enthusiasts. For many of these, we have only one available. To see this varied collection, click HERE!