Isolated in San Francisco Bay, this little island has earned its nickname "The Rock." There is little in the way of vegetation or anything else to make staying there hospitable. Thus, it's purpose has always been utilitarian. The name Alcatraz is the Anglicized version of the Spanish word "Alcatraces," meaning "pelican." The explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala gave the island its name because of all the pelicans he saw roosting there. The United States military was the island's first long-term resident, setting up a fortress in 1850's during the California Gold Rush to protect the area's riches from foreign invasion. That fortress also housed military prisoners, foreshadowing the island's more notorious destiny. That destiny became a reality in 1909 when the Army base was torn down and construction began on a new military prison. 24 years later, the prison was given to the Department of Justice for use as a civilian prison for the country's most hardened criminals. Naturally, some of them were so tough they though no prison could hold them; not even The Rock. There were 14 escape attempts by 36 men. Eight of them died trying to reach freedom. Five are considered "missing and presumed drowned." One of the most famous prisoners was the "Birdman of Alcatraz" romanticized on film. The real Birdman, Robert Stroud, was a multiple-murderer who never had any birds on The Rock, but he did write two books about them. Alcatraz closed in 1963 due to budget cuts. Plans were made for it to be the home to a Pacific Statue of Liberty, but they fell through. Eventually it reopened in 1973 as a national park and tourist attraction. If you go there today, you will be taken by boat just as the prisoners did. The only difference is you're guaranteed a ride back. While on the island, the views are amazing. And parts of the prison are still open for your to explore. Audio headsets guide you through the building and give the histories of some of the prisoners who lived and died there. Take the day tour, and if you have the time, go back and take the tour again at night. It's much more personal and very very spooky, especially if the fog is in.

• Alcatraz could hold 336 prisoners, but was never at capacity.
• Alcatraz is the home of the first lighthouse on the west coast.
• While functioning as a prison, 1,000,000 gallons of water had to be brought in by barge every week for the prisoners.
• Considering the number of prisoners housed here, and the island's history, it is not surprising that some people believe the prison to be haunted. Some have said that they heard clanging noises, screams, whistles, running footsteps, a man's voice, and even banjo music in the shower.
  
• Cell 14-D was supposedly used for solitary confinement, and it is said that it stays cold even on hot days. However, it would seem that the building's construction and the island's geology could easily be responsible for that. Cell 12-D is also supposed to harbor a particularly active spirit.
  
• It is said that some of the prisoners back to the 1800's complained about being attacked by ghosts. These pleas were reportedly ignored.
  
• It is claimed that on at least one occasion, a prisoner sent to "The Hole" (solitary confinement in cells 9-D through 14-D) saw glowing eyes in the darkness. He was allegedly found strangled to death the next morning. The following day during a lineup, the guards counted one too many prisoners. The extra figure was the form of the deceased inmate who vanished as the prisoners and guards looked on.

Photograph courtesy of Philip Greenspun

Photograph courtesy San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau.