Alcatraz Island, best known for its infamous federal prison, has a past that stretches far beyond its time as a penitentiary. Over the centuries, it has served as a military outpost, a symbol of protest, and now, a place of public memory.

Alcatraz Island timeline

Spanish discovery (1775): Spanish navigator Juan Manuel de Ayala names the island La Isla de los Alcatraces (“Island of the Pelicans”) while mapping San Francisco Bay
Military reservation established (1850): President Millard Fillmore designates Alcatraz for U.S. military use, beginning its role as a coastal defense site
West Coast’s first lighthouse (1854): Alcatraz launches its lighthouse—the first operational beacon on the Pacific Coast
Military prison era (1857–1907): The island becomes a military prison, housing soldiers and federal prisoners during this 50-year period
Pacific Branch Military Prison (1907): Renamed and reinforced as the “Pacific Branch, U.S. Military Prison” in 1907
Federal prison conversion (1933 to 1934): Transferred to the Department of Justice in 1933 and reopened in August 1934 as a maximum-security federal penitentiary
Federal prison years (1934 to 1963): It houses the toughest U.S. criminals like Al Capone and Robert “Birdman” Stroud, recording 14 escape attempts but no confirmed successes
Prison closure (1963): Closed March 21, 1963, due to high operational costs and deteriorating structures
Native American occupation (1969–1971): “Indians of All Tribes” occupy the island for 19 months, raising awareness for Indigenous rights and treaty issues
National Park transition (1972–1973): Becomes part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1972; opens for public tours in 1973
National historic landmark (1986): Alcatraz is designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986

Alcatraz's history explained

From Pelicans to Fortifications (1775 to 1850s)

Before gaining infamy, Alcatraz was just a rocky island home to seabirds. In 1775, the Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala mapped and named it La Isla de los Alcatraces (Island of the Pelicans). Though its location was strategic, it remained undeveloped until the mid-19th century, when the U.S. acquired California in 1846. By 1850, President Millard Fillmore designated it as a military reservation, and this marked the beginning of Alcatraz’s transformation into the most fortified site on the West Coast.

Alcatraz as a military fortress & prison (1850s to 1933)

The U.S. Army fortified the island with over 100 cannons, as part of the Bay's Triangle of Defense. In 1854, it also became home to the first lighthouse on the Pacific Coast. During the Civil War, Alcatraz began housing prisoners, first Confederate sympathizers, then soldiers and civilians accused of treason. By 1907, it was officially renamed Pacific Branch, U.S. Military Prison, and by 1912, it was cemented its role as a high-security facility.

America’s most notorious federal prison (1934 to 1963)

Amid the Great Depression, in 1934, the U.S. Government took over and turned Alcatraz into a federal prison for the most dangerous inmates—those who caused trouble at other prisons. It held high-profile criminals like Al Capone, “Machine Gun” Kelly, and Robert "Birdman", offering no rehab programs and enforcing strict discipline. Of the 14 attempted escapes, none succeeded, though the 1962 breakout by Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers remains legendary—their bodies were never found. Sadly, however, high costs and decay led to its closure in 1963.

A stage for protest: Native American occupation (1969 to 1971)

In 1969, Alcatraz became a symbol of protest when Native Americans from a group called the Indians of All Tribes occupied the island, citing a treaty allowing claims to unused federal land. The 19-month occupation drew national attention to Indigenous rights, with activists running programs and press events from the island. Though it ended in 1971, it sparked lasting change in federal policies on Native American self-determination. Today, murals and memorials on Alcatraz honor this pivotal movement.

From abandonment to preservation (1972 to Present)

After the Native American occupation, Alcatraz became a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1972 and opened to the public in 1973. Restoration efforts preserved landmarks like the Cellhouse and lighthouse, while reviving historic gardens tended previously by the military families. Exhibits now explore prison life, military history, and Native activism. Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1986, Alcatraz welcomes over a million visitors each year, drawn by its layered and powerful past.

Lesser-known stories of Alcatraz Island

🌼 The Alcatraz gardeners
While inmates served time, correctional officers’ families lived in nearby quarters, and some even tended to the island’s surprisingly lush gardens. Inmates later joined in, growing roses, geraniums, and even fig trees. Today, these gardens have been partially restored and still bloom, a soft contrast to the island’s stark reputation.

⚔️ The 1946 Battle of Alcatraz
One of the most violent episodes in the island’s prison history was a two-day uprising started when six inmates overpowered guards in a failed escape attempt. The standoff led to the deaths of two guards and three inmates, with the Marines eventually storming the Cellhouse. The walls still bear scars from grenades used to retake control.

🪕 Al Capone’s banjo
During his final years at Alcatraz, mobster Al Capone suffered from neurosyphilis and became a shell of his former self. He spent time in the prison band, playing banjo. Rumor has it he practiced in the showers so no one could see him—his ego still intact, even behind bars.

🪟 A secret apartment with a view
The warden of Alcatraz had one of the best views in San Francisco—his residence on the island was a spacious, private home complete with a rose garden and hosted lavish dinner parties. Guests dined just a few yards from high-security inmates.

📨 Escapee postcard
After the 1962 escape, months passed with no sign of the missing men. Then came a cryptic postcard received by a family member of one of the Anglin brothers, postmarked from South America. It was never verified, but it helped fuel the legend that maybe they survived.

Beyond stories; read 10 interesting facts

Frequently asked questions about Alcatraz's history

Alcatraz was designed to hold prisoners who caused trouble at other federal prisons. Its isolated location, strict routine, and high security made it the go-to facility for high-risk inmates, including gangsters and escape artists.

Present day

The once-infamous federal prison is now a museum, offering self-guided audio tours through the Cellhouse, immersive exhibits, and sweeping views of the bay. Beyond the prison walls, visitors can discover the island’s Civil War-era remnants, restored historic gardens, and wildlife nesting sites. Alcatraz also serves as a platform for Indigenous voices, commemorating the Native American occupation of 1969 to 1971.

Today, it is a place of remembrance, reflection, and rediscovery, and is far more than just an island with a dark past.

Read about the island here