San Francisco - Alcatraz Island
Prison Tour
Information
Detailed Alcatraz
Virtual Tour of the Island and Prison
Alcatraz was vital
to California's history. The island near San Francisco was a fortress, a military prison, and a federal
prison... and today a National Park.
We've listed below the highlights of
Alcatraz island's remaining buildings, in the order you are likely to see
them during your visit to Alcatraz.
"You are entitled to
food, clothing, shelter, and medical attention. Anything else you get is a
privilege." Rule #5, Alcatraz Prison Rules and Regulations - 1934
| Cellblock |
Visit the Alcatraz cellblock where prisoners were confined... |
| Wharf |
The island has only one safe landing point,
from which prison inmates saw their new home. The wharf, first built in 1854, has
grown over the years. |
| Dock
Tower |
During the Federal Prison phase of the island,
six guard towers were used to guard the island. Today, only one tower, at the dock
stands. |
|
|
| Fortified
Barracks |
The barracks were first used to support the
wharf. The building was meant for both cannons and soldiers, but the guns were
obselete before the building was completed. Apartments were built on top of the
fortified barracks. The armored areas meant for yesterday's cannons are used today
to house exhibits, a theater, and a bookstore. |
| Guardhouse / Sally Port |
During the 1860's, Alcatraz was the most
fortified military area on the west coast. A Sally Port is an armored gate.
Alcatraz's Sally Port (1857) is the oldest building left on the island. Formerly, a
drawbridge joined the sides of a dry moat so that access could be blocked. The entry
way was well guarded with soldiers for anyone making it past the armored gate. The
gun rooms were used for prison cells during the Civil War to house captured Confederate
agents. |
|
|
| Post Exchange (Ruins) |
From around 1850-1930, the island was occupied
by soldiers and their families. The Post Exchange sold food and goods and included a
bowling alley and gym. Prior to a consuming fire in 1970, the Exchange was used as a
club / recreation hall for the prison guards. |
|
How to visit Alcatraz-- tours, ferries, prices, schedules,
planning... |
| Chapel |
On top of the guardhouse, a Mission-style
chapel was built during the 1920's. The chapel was used as living quarters, school,
and sometimes as a chapel. During the post 1930's prison phase, the building housed
prison staff. |
| Warden's
House (Ruins) |
The warden's house had incredible panoramic
views of the San Francisco Bay. From its construction in 1929 until the house burned
down in 1970, the warden's house's wonderful windows looked out to freedom. |
| Officer's Quarters (Ruins) |
Three of the homes for officers-- Victorian
cottages-- were surrounded by beautiful flowers. The foundation ruins of these
cottages still stand today. |
| Lighthouse |
Alcatraz was the FIRST lighthouse on the
Pacific Coast-- built in 1854. The base of the lighthouse housed the lightkeepers.
Their jobs were to fuel the lamp and keep it clean (now electric and automated).
The lighthouse was replaced in 1909, to tower above the new cellblock (84 feet in
total). |
| Power Plant / Bakery |
The island's self-contained power plant was
located next to the bakery... |
| Water Tower |
The island stored large quantities of purified
water... |
Alcatraz History:
Alcatraz 2002 Renovation
The 1700's & 1800's - the beginning
1900-1950 - crime and prison escapes...
1950
until today - the world changes...
Sarah writes,
"Went to Alcatraz...kind of spiritual place not in a religious sense
but felt like people from the past were watching me....you listen to a walkman with
recordings from inmates and wardens as you walk round and I nearly had a complete anxiety
attack in the solitary confinement cell ...what a bastard of a place to spend a
decade or too.....too many good views of the city..so close yet so far away...went
on a guided walk and heard about the "great
escapes" which was kind of cool...."
Alcatraz Island Prison Tour
Fisherman's Wharf Hotel
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