Alcatraz Island is located in the San Francisco Bay, 2.01 km offshore from San Francisco, California, United States. The small island was developed with facillities for a lighthouse, a miliitary fortification, a military prison- 1868, and a federal prison from 1933 until 1963. Beginning in November 1969, the island was occupied for more than 19 months by a group of aboriginal people from San Francisco, who were part of a wave of Native activism across the nation with public protests through the 1970s. In 1972, Alcatraz became a national recreation area and received designation as a National Historic Landmark in 1986.
The entire Alcatraz island was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. In 1993, the National Park Service published a plan entitled Alcatraz Development Concept and Environment Assessemnt. This plan offers visitors to enjoy its scenery and bird, marine, and animal life. Gardens planted by families of the original Army post, have been restored after 40 years. Alcatraz was remembered as the most secure prison of old times, home to most vicious criminals of that time. Families lived on Alcatraz during its prison years. Interesting thing is that prisoners actually did escape from Alcatraz. The average number of prisoners was 260.
The word Alcatraz -Spanish, means pelican. The first hospital on Alcatraz opened in 1893. Each year, hundreds of athletes participate in the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. The event includes a 1.5-mile swim to San Francisco, plus an 18-mile bike ride and 8-mile run. Alcatraz might be haunted.
