Timeline of Events
1854 Alcatraz Island, located in San Francisco Bay, becomes a military fort, assigned to protect the West Coast and the city of San Francisco from enemy attack.
1864 Alcatraz is first used as a prison, housing military personnel who would not pledge loyalty to the United States.
1901 The final armaments are removed from the island, converting the fort into a full time military prison.
1934 The prison is converted into a U. S. Penitentiary
1963 The prison officially closes.
1973 Alcatraz Island opens to the public.
Did you know?
- Al “Scarface” Capone
- Robert “the Birdman” Stroud
- “Escape from Alcatraz” with Clint Eastwood
- “The Rock” with Sean Connery