Alcatraz Island

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Alcatraz Island, Federal prison on an island in San Francisco Bay, United States

The 22-acre limestone outcrop contains cell blocks, guard towers, a lighthouse, and fortified walls surrounded by cold Pacific waters.

The facility operated as a maximum-security federal penitentiary from 1934 to 1963, housing notorious criminals including Al Capone and George Kelly.

Native Americans occupied the island for 19 months in 1969 to protest federal policies and brought national attention to indigenous rights.

Access requires a ferry from Pier 33 at Fisherman's Wharf, with audio tours available in multiple languages during daily visits from 9:00 to 16:20.

Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers executed the only possible successful escape in 1962 by creating dummy heads and swimming through bay waters.

Location: San Francisco

Location: San Francisco County

Elevation above the sea: 41 m

Website: https://nps.gov/alca

GPS coordinates: 37.82672,-122.42283

Latest update: June 16, 2025 09:05

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« Alcatraz Island: Federal prison on an island in San Francisco Bay, United States » is provided by Around Us (aroundus.com). Images and texts are derived from Wikimedia project under a Creative Commons license. You are allowed to copy, distribute, and modify copies of this page, under the conditions set by the license, as long as this note is clearly visible.

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