THE ROCK

View of San Francisco from Alcatraz

I've done quite a bit of sightseeing over the last three days, but this post is going to be about 'The Rock' also known as the notorious prison 'Alcatraz.' 

Alcatraz was home to some of the most famous criminals from Al "Scarface" Capone to Alvin "Creepy" Karpis and Robert "Birdman" Stroud.  There was 14 attempted escapes, with 3 "succeeding" meaning they were never found, however items were on a nearby island. 

Ruins with Oakland Bay Bridge in the background.

Alcatraz Lighthouse  

Alcatraz Lighthouse has been in operation since 1854 and was one of the very first on the Pacific Coast. It was really interesting to know that families lived on the Alcatraz as well, it had four wardens in separate times up until it's close in 1963. It's now under the National Park Service (which is really strange, seeing as I wouldn't consider it to be a park at all.) 

                           Cell Blocks                                                Cruise Flag & View of Alcatraz 

I don't remember the date, but at one point after the closure (1960's) native Indians took over Alcatraz as their own for up to 19 months. They were eventually escorted off but you can still see remainders. 

sign reads "Peace and Freedom Welcome. Home of the free. Indian Land"