Off to Alcatraz...

I was pretty excited about finally going to Alcatraz Island for the first time since I was a kid while Ashlynn was thrilled about going for the first time, and we were both pleased how enthusiastic Ann was about joining us. We had great views during the 15-minute ferry journey.

This infamous island in the cold waters of San Francisco Bay housed the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary from 1934 to 1963, typically housing an average of 260 inmates at one time with a total of 1,545 prisoners rotating through in the 29 years. Earlier, it was a military prison starting in 1861 during the Civil War.

Alcatraz was designed to hold prisoners who continuously caused trouble at other federal prisons as a last resort to hold the worst of the worst criminals.

Although there were escape attempts made by 36 prisoners, the penitentiary claims that there no successful escapes.

It was especially fascinating learning about the three prisoners who left behind life-like dummies complete with human hair laying in their beds when escaping through holes in their cells.

Built in 1921, the warden’s three-story mansion was burned down by Native Americans during the Occupation of Alcatraz in 1970. Like many sites on the island, the house is rumored to be haunted.