ALCATRAZ ISLAND

What do the words, Alcatraz Island, conjur up for you? For most people, it's Alcatraz prison that leaps to mind.

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Since the opening of the federal prison in 1934, more than 30 movies have been made about Alcatraz prison.

The first one, Alcatraz Island, was filmed in 1937 - only 3 years after the prison opened to accept its first prisoners!

One of the reasons for our fascination with the prison probably has to do with our tendency to romanticize our bad guys. Who were these men who captured America's mythogenesis?

(CC) Albert Yau

Here's a partial list:

• Al Capone (aka Scarface) - Although he was one of the most notorious gangsters in the United States and was labled "Public Enemy No. 1", Federal agents couldn't get enough evidence to convict him.

  So, instead of being incarcerated for murder, extortion, and
  the like, he was finally sent to prison for tax evasion.

• Machine Gun Kelly - Another infamous gangster, his activities involved bootlegging and armed robbery. It was rumored though that his wife, Kathryn, was actually responsible for his fearsome reputation.

  His final conviction was for kidnapping wealthy Charles Urschel and his friend, Walter Jarrett.

• Robert Stroud, the Birdman of Alcatraz - Sentenced to life in prison for the killing of a prison guard, Stroud spent 17 years at Alcatraz. Yet he never kept any birds there.

  His bird breeding and research was actually done at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary prior to his transfer to Alcatraz.

But there's more to Alcatraz Island than the federal prison that only operated for 29 years.

The island was charted in 1775 by Juan Manuel de Ayala. He named the island La Isla de los Alcatraces, Island of the Pelicans for pretty obvious reasons.

In 1854, the first lighthouse on the west coast was completed and
its whale oil lamp was fired up.

Five years later, Capt J. Stewart was given command of Alcatraz Island, where he created a military fortification to protect San Francisco Bay.

By 1863, the island was being used as a prison for Confederate sympathizers and, later yet, as a military prison.

This was the island's main purpose until 1934 when it was given
over for a U.S. penitentiary. Alcatraz served as a federal prison from 1934 to 1963 when it was closed.

In 1969 Alcatraz came to the attention of the populaces of the
United States and the world once again when it was occupied for 18 months by thousands of Native Americans who wanted to claim Alcatraz as Indian territory.

Although ultimately unsuccessful in their claim to the island, the movement is credited with getting the federal government to recognize the Native Americans' right to self-determination.

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area was created in 1972 - it includes the island of Alcatraz. The GGNRA and the National Park Service are responsible for the island now, and it's one of the most visited of San Francisco attractions.

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Alcatraz tours will take you behind the scenes to witness the remnants of several of the historical phases of Alcatraz Island.

You'll experience the prison, of course, but also historic buildings and artifacts from the Civil War era, military fortifications, and the American Indian takeover.

There are several tours to choose from, including a night tour, which will give you a fantastic view of the Golden Gate Bridge and The City skyline as the sun is setting.

A few tips to keep in mind:

• Early Bird - the first trip of the day is usually the least crowded one
• Alcatraz weather is unpredictable - bring layers of clothing in case the temperature changes quickly
• Make you plans and get your tickets in advance (up to 90 days ahead) - you'll save yourself from disappointment as the tours are most often booked way in advance

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