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Alcatraz photos

San Francisco, U.S.A.





U.S.A. facts & history in brief        U.S.A. Map


Alcatraz, is an island, western California, in San Francisco Bay, near San Francisco.
It is a place legend are made of.
The island stands on 5 hectares of solid rock, more than 1.5 kilometres from the mainland and was often referred to as 'The Rock'.
Alcatraz became infamous for the high security ('Escape-proof') federal prison from 1933 to 1963, for some of the most dangerous, colourful and sometimes legendary residents such as Al "Scarface" Capone, "Doc" Barker, George "Machine Gun" Kelly and Robert Stroud, the "Birdman of Alcatraz".
In 1755, a Spanish Lieutenant, Juan Manuel de Ayala explored the island and named it Isla de los Alcatraces (Island of the Pelicans), for the large pelican population there.
In 1854, Alcatraz Island became the first permanent military fort on the West Coast.
A military prison was added in 1861.
In 1909, the wooden prison was replaced by a modern concrete cellblock.
In 1934, Alcatraz became a high security federal prison to confine some of the most dangerous criminals in the U.S.
In 1963, the government closed it down because it was too expensive to maintain and supply.
In 1969 a group of Sioux Indians occupied the island, to win recognition of their claim to the island.
The Sioux were forced off the island in 1971.
In 1972, Alcatraz became part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
Alcatraz Island now have large colonies of nesting birds in such numbers that the Park Service limits access to parts of the island during nesting season.
The movies made about Alcatraz Island Prison and some of its inmates like the Birdman of Alcatraz and Escape from Alcatraz helped to make it even more famous.
There is even an annual Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon.
People can visit the island and tour the prison grounds.
Alcatraz Island can only be reached by ferry boat from Fisherman's Wharf, unless you are a much better average open water swimmer.





Hui Chin and I found the boat trip, the meandering on the island, amongst the ruins and remaining cellblocks and other buildings another memorable experience.

I've visited Alcatraz in 1996, but this time around I enjoyed it much more, mainly because the good company of my wife and also the throngs of people that were there this time added that extra bit to the place's ambience.





You can click on these photos for an enlargement.



1996

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2002

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