We may never pass this way again I told my husband when we took the bait and hopped a plane to 'Frisco. In fact I am almost certain I shall never again go to Alcatraz (perhaps maybe in/at the movies as we have now avowed to collect up the ones made on the island) again. But the journey was sooooo worth the trip. I loved it for all it was and for all the history and notoriety it brings. It captivates, it awes, it amazes. The stories, the park rangers, the LIVING former prisoner- all, all of it was just amazing. I count it up there among my top 3, and I still have reams of Parks to go! Okay, enough gushing, bring on the pictures.
We were fortunate to get the early bird cruise, which can sometimes sell out. We had no idea how many tourists actually come to this awesome place. It meant an early rise and ride down to Pier 33, but the views were spectacular!
The island itself is only 1.5 miles offshore, yet it seemed further away. Anticipation caused the multiple camera clicks!
CLOSER
...AND CLOSER
GETTING SO CLOSE!
LOOK- THERE ARE BUILDINGS ON IT!
AND MTNS. IN THE BACK GROUND AND THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
WOW!
ANTICIPATION WAS MOUNTING...
AND THEN, LAND AT LAST!
The last view from the boat showed a lot= the lighthouse (oldest operating one on the west coast). The original one built in 1854 was damaged in the Mother of an Earthquake that seemed to rock SF to its core and then some in 1906 + the one standing was built to replace it in 1909. The next building in view is actually only the shell of a building (Warden's House) as it was burnt out in an accidental fire started in June 1970 during the time of the Native American Occupancy. Finally, closest in view is a building that used to be residential apartments.
Yes, we were so psyched to be there! This tiny little piece of real estate is only a mere 22 acres. And despite all its notoriety as a Federal Penitentiary from 1933 to 1963, it was also a station for a lighthouse, a military fortification, and also a military prison in 1868.
After gathering us up and saying hello, the Park Ranger gave the mike to a former prisoner who gave a little speech. We were pleasantly surprised at this and quickly tried to do the math and figure out when and how old he was when he was here.
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| Guardtower |
The Main cellhouse on the top of the hill. The inmates had different street names for the blocks
Could you imagine me trying to chase a prisoner up or down these stairs!?!
The people standing around looking like they are in a daze is because we all have headsets and are guided by an audio tour.
These were our "guides."
This was a hard place to try to imagine being. As you heard it was a place someone was sent to from other prisons, not for the kind-hearted. There were 336 cells in B & C Block. There were 36 segregation cells, and 6 solitary confinement cells in D-Block. Two cells on the end of C-Block were used as restrooms for the guard staff. The cells in A-Block were only used a few times for (rare) short term lock-up periods when an inmate did not require full solitary confinement seclusion, but needed to be fully isolated from other inmates.
A typical cell, 5 feet by 9 feet.
I would not have wanted to spend any time alone with any of these guys. I wondered what made them the way they were? The audio told us that they had to keep the men segregated by race because they didn't get along. Also, one of the most asked questions is about deaths while on the rock. There were eight people murdered by inmates on Alcatraz. Five men committed suicide, and fifteen died from natural illnesses.
It was mentioned that most prisoners loved reading. There were only certain books that were allowed and philosophy was a popular subject.
They had some recreated cells and stories that told of the inmates who lived in them. All fascinating to me.
The guard station with the listing of the inmates and the control panels (below)
Upstairs was the medical ward where many prisoners went after they "lost their minds" or had mental breakdowns as well as those who had medical illnesses.
A part of the infirmary.
The famous or infamous Birdman of Alcatraz (who had no birds there) was not liked by prisoners nor guards alike. He was imprisoned here for 19 years, spending 11 of them up here on the medical ward d/t his health.
The prison fell victim to the elements of the San Fransisco bay, the harsh winds and saltwater deteriorating the buildings and so the penitentiary was closed after only operating for 29 years in 1963.
Some avian inmates created a nice little nest amongst the ruins!
Now on to the outside:
She just snuck in there for the sheer brilliance of her hair in the midday sun!
This is a piece of a remnant of what was (below)
The Officer's Club (above and below)
The oldest structure on the island is being stabilized and rehabbed, and so much of it was under wraps.
Oh you know I just love these plaques!!!
The remains of what once was housing for guards and their families. This was the most bizarre thing to me, I couldn't believe that children lived and grew up here. They took a boat to and from school and lived alongside some of the baddest mf'ers in the land!
The Warden's house then (above) and now (below).
I sure wish I could come back on 5/3/2073 and see what is in that Time Box.
San Fran from the Rock.
The international orange bridge (aka the golden gate bridge)
Of course there was the flora and the fauna too!
i was more than a little in love with this shot!
Only one good bug shot the whole trip, geez!
And just when you think I couldn't have possibly taken anymore there are these:
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| I knew nothing of this very important action, what it meant, what it sparked, what it changed. It wasn't in any of my learnings at any of the educational points of my life. So I was thrilled for the new knowledge I gained on my time on the rock. |
Rock on Red Power! Peter was the one who caught the symbolism of Ai Weiwei's logo. Check back up top and see for yourself.
Then when you want to cringe for the excesses, I had to compile a personal favorite block, so here they are: I am calling them The views from Alcatraz.
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