Alcatraz Island – the Attraction of an Isolated Island

Not far from the San Francisco Bay lies an isolated island, which is well known as Alcatraz Island. This ordinary island has an uncommon history. During its hundreds of years of history, it has served as the site of the nation’s oldest lighthouse on the west coast, a military fortification, a military prison, a federal jail, a Native American occupation and then a popular tourism destination.

The first recorded owner of the island William Workman was given the island so as to build a lighthouse on it, but when it was bought in the name of the United States government, it was used mainly for military purposes. During the Mexican-American war, it served as a military fortification and did make great contribution to the final success on the American side. With the advancement of military technology, it was changed to house war criminals.

Its 29 years as a federal prison brought great notoriety and dark mystery to this island. During 1934 to 1963, many of the nation’s worst criminals were transferred here from other prisons, Robert Franklin Strond, “the Birdman of Alcatraz” and George “Machine Gun” included. For 29 years in use, only three men had ever successfully fled from this so called escape proof jail. Taking everything into consideration, General Robert Kennedy made a decision to close the prison in 1963.

Presently, it has become a popular tourism attraction. It is home to many species of floras, such as rare roses, succulents and geraniums as well as a sanctuary for many faunas, like Western Gulls, cormorants and egrets. Besides, there are many Civil War period buildings and other historic sites which attract millions of tourists every year. And ceremonies held here by American Indian groups also add great attraction to this National Historic Landmark.