A Curiosity To See Alcatraz Cruise #2‪@HappyShortLunch‬

Walking from the Civic Center through the Tenderloin District to Market Street. Move forward on Market Street to the Water Front. Returning by bus on Van Ness Avenue to the Civic Center. Alcatraz Island transitioned from a Spanish-named bird sanctuary and military fortress into America's most notorious maximum-security federal prison and later a national historic landmark. Discovery and Military Era (1775–1933)Naming: Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala mapped the island in 1775 and named it La Isla de los Alcatraces (Island of the Pelicans) due to its large bird population. Fortress and Lighthouse: President Millard Fillmore reserved the island for military use in 1850. It housed the West Coast's first operational lighthouse (1854) and a military fortification with cannons to protect San Francisco Bay. Military Prison: Starting in the late 19th century and through the Civil War, the military used the site to hold deserters, prisoners of war, and Confederate sympathizers. The History UndergroundFederal Penitentiary Era (1934–1963)Maximum Security: The U.S. Army transferred the facility to the Department of Justice in 1933. It opened as a federal civilian penitentiary in August 1934 to house the nation's most violent, incorrigible, and escape-prone inmates. Famous Inmates: Known criminals like Al Capone, George "Machine Gun" Kelly, and Robert Stroud (the "Birdman of Alcatraz") served time here. Escape Attempts: Strong cold-water currents and strict security made escape nearly impossible. Over 29 years, 36 men tried to escape; most were caught or died, though three men (Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers) vanished in 1962 and are presumed drowned. Closure: High operating costs and structural salt-water corrosion led Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy to close the prison on March 21, 1963. Native American Occupation and Modern DayRed Power Movement: From 1969 to 1971, Native American activists occupied the island for 19 months to advocate for Indigenous rights and sovereignty. Tourist Attraction: The island became part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1972 and a National Historic Landmark in 1986, drawing over a million visitors a year. https://alcatrazcitycruises.com #sanfranciscoattractions #scenicviews #alcatraz