Alcatraz has been in the news recently for a particular reason: President Donald Trump says he wants to update it and reopen it.
Prediction markets don’t think that’s like to happen — not in 2025, at least.
But it’s important to note that The Rock isn’t just a cold chunk of granite in San Francisco Bay.
It’s myth, memory, and menace — all rolled into one. A military post. A federal prison. A symbol of isolation, power, rebellion, and of course the site of a few famous films.
Here’s a snapshot of some of its most historic moments.
1850 — Alcatraz is Claimed by the U.S. Military
President Millard Fillmore designates Alcatraz as a military reservation. Its location makes it ideal for coastal defense — and the first structures on The Rock are cannon batteries and barracks, not cells.
1861 — Civil War Prison Use Begins
The Civil War erupts and Alcatraz becomes a holding ground for Confederate sympathizers and POWs. It shifts from fort to fortress, setting the tone for its future as a place of containment.
1907 — Official U.S. Military Prison
The Army decides Alcatraz will serve as a long-term detention site for military prisoners. It’s remote, seemingly escape-proof, and already steeped in discipline — perfect for punishment and what passed for reform back then.
1934 — Alcatraz Becomes a Federal Penitentiary
The Justice Department takes over. Alcatraz becomes the fortress of last resort — where the worst of the worst are sent to disappear. It’s isolated, strict, and unforgiving. The era of The Rock begins.
1934 to 1963 — Infamous Inmates and Reputation
Al Capone, “Machine Gun” Kelly, and Robert Stroud (the Birdman) go behind bars on The Rock. The prison earns its reputation as the end of the line — a place even criminals fear. It’s not just hard time. It’s Alcatraz time.
1946 — Battle Alcatraz
Inmates attempt a daring escape, seizing weapons and guards. A bloody standoff follows. Three days later, five men end up dead, and the prison tightens its grip. The event cements The Rock’s legend — and its ruthlessness.
1962 — The Great Escape
Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers vanish through a hole in their cell wall. Dummy heads in bed. Raft built from raincoats. Their fate? Never confirmed. The myth? Immortal. It becomes Alcatraz’s most famous story.
1963 — Prison Closes for Good … Maybe
The cost of running Alcatraz — along with its crumbling infrastructure — shuts it down. The final inmates are transferred out. The Rock falls silent … for a while.
1969 to 1971 — Native American Occupation
Activists from the American Indian Movement seize Alcatraz, demanding land rights. They hold it for 19 months. The protest brings national attention to Indigenous issues and redefines The Rock as a place of resistance.
Present Day — Legend and Landmark
Alcatraz is now a protected historical site and top tourist destination. The ghosts of prisoners, protests, and power plays still echo. The island may be quiet — but The Rock never really sleeps.
