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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.
Về Tác Giả
Alcatraz Historian
Để ngày Alcatraz của bạn đơn giản hơn, giàu trải nghiệm và khó quên — những mẹo cô đọng từ nhiều lần trở lại.
Tags
Alcatraz
History
Timeline
Fortress
Penitentiary
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