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|Úterý, Leden 13, 2026USA, Kalifornie, Sanfranciský záliv, ostrov Alcatraz
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Alcatraz History Timeline: Fortress, Prison, Park
A visual Alcatraz timeline from 19th-century fortress to modern national park, with key dates, milestones, and photos.
1/13/2025
14 min read
Alcatraz's evolution mirrors America’s coastal defense and justice eras — a compact timeline with outsized impact.
Timeline at a Glance
| Period | Role | What Changed |
|---|---|---|
| 1850s–1860s | Coastal Fortress | Batteries, cannons, military garrison |
| 1860s–1906 | Mixed Use | Holding deserters and POWs alongside artillery |
| 1907–1933 | U.S. Military Prison | Expanded confinement, proto‑infrastructure for a penitentiary |
| 1934–1963 | Federal Penitentiary | Maximum security, infamous inmates, escape lore |
| 1969–1971 | Native American Occupation | Sovereignty protest; graffiti becomes testimony |
| 1972–today | National Park Unit | Preservation, tours, and layered interpretation |
Reading ruins: Alcatraz is a palimpsest — newer structures straddle older foundations.
Era Highlights
Fortress Era (Civil War)
- Overlapping fields of fire guard the Golden Gate.
- Engineering logic prioritizes elevation and visibility.
Military Prison (1907–1933)
- Discipline over deterrence; routines solidify.
- Infrastructure seeds later federal prison operations.
Federal Penitentiary (1934–1963)
- "The end of the line" for difficult inmates.
- Stories of routine, resistance, and rare escapes.
Why It Matters
- Fortress: Guard the gate.
- Military prison: Isolate and discipline.
- Federal penitentiary: Concentrate the “incorrigible.”
- Protest symbol: Project sovereignty into public view.
- Park: Share ecology and history with the public.
Map Orientation
Look for numbered site maps at the dock and interpretive signs near the Cellhouse.
O autorovi
Alcatraz Historian
Aby byl váš den na Alcatrazu snadnější, bohatší a zapamatovatelný — přímočaré tipy z opakovaných návštěv.
Tags
Alcatraz
History
Timeline
Fortress
Penitentiary
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