Alcatraz has long been a place of mystery and intrigue. This infamous prison, known as, “The Rock,” has captivated the imagination of many with daring escapes, ghostly sightings, and stories of notorious criminals. While it is true that some inmates attempted to escape, the idea this fortress was inescapable is more of a tale than reality. Although this island has a bleak history, there is little evidence to support any supernatural claims. Let’s dive into the myths and legends of Alcatraz that make it an enduring part of American folklore. If you’re planning a visit to the island, the best way to experience it is with the only authorized concessioner, Alcatraz City Cruises. Join the many others who venture to the island each year to discover the secrets of Alcatraz Island.
Just the Facts: Was Alcatraz Really Inescapable?
Sitting just over a mile offshore from San Francisco, California, Alcatraz Island once a fort, military prison, and a maximum-security federal penitentiary has
long been a place of fearsome fables and a gripping past. Referred to as an “evil island” by Native Americans, Alcatraz has mostly been associated with violence and sinister inmates. They were often described as “the vicious and irredeemable type,” but did any of these hardcore prisoners actually make it off the island?
Let’s separate fact from fiction. The 336 cells were never fully occupied with the prison averaging approximately 260 men, and no women. People did escape from the island, but to say these escapes were successful would be a stretch. They left the island never to be seen again, but no one knows exactly what happened. In total, there were 14 escape attempts made by the 1,600 prisoners once held in Alcatraz over its 29 years. There were thirty-six men involved, with twenty-three being caught, six were shot and killed, two drowned, and five are listed as “missing and presumed drowned.”
Perhaps the most notorious escape attempt occurred in 1962 when Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers escaped from their cells. They made it off the island on a rubber raft made of raincoats which washed ashore on a nearby island. A plastic bag containing mail-order receipts, photos, and addresses of the convicts’ families was also recovered. No other traces remained, and the FBI declared the men were most likely dead from drowning in 1979. Today, they remain on America’s most wanted list, as the U.S. Marshals case remains open and will remain so until they are found dead, arrested, or turn age 100. That will happen in the years 2026, 2030, and 2031. Some theorists believe the men survived and lived out their days on a farm in Brazil. Another interesting point to note is that man-eating sharks surround the island. That’s another myth-they’re mostly sand sharks, which don’t particularly have a taste for humans.
The Birdman of Alcatraz: Avian Expert or Not?
Alcatraz, or the Rock, successfully housed hundreds of well-known inmates including, George “Machine Gun Kelly,” Al Capone, and Robert Stroud, nicknamed “the Birdman.” But was “the Birdman,” really the highly intelligent author and peaceful avian pathologist that he was described as? It is true that he did pen two books about birds and their diseases, but not while he was imprisoned in Alcatraz. They were written while he was doing time in Fort Leavenworth. After his death, an autobiography was also published about the prison system. He was not allowed to pursue avian science or house any birds while serving his sentence at Alcatraz Island. As far as peaceful, well that is a myth as well. He was an impulsive murderer who grew older while imprisoned. He entered the prison system at age 19 but was never released. He killed a guard, fought with other inmates, and spent 42 years of his 54 in prison in solitary confinement.
Haunted Rock: Are the Ghost Stories of Alcatraz Real?
If the walls of Alcatraz could talk, imagine what they would say! From its early days as a military prison to the sinister and tortured souls who called Alcatraz home, the cells must be saturated with anger and despair. Visitors and employees of the island have reported a variety of paranormal experiences. Many have described an entity called, “The Thing,” which appears with glowing eyes. There have also been reports of men’s voices, screams, whistles, and clanging metal doors, and staff and visitors have reported they felt spirits lurking in the shadows. Visitors of cell 14D, described as the most haunted cell,
have felt extreme coldness enveloping them as if the spirits of the former inmates were still there. Today, there are often reports of sudden intense and cold feelings near cells 12 and 14D, and psychics have felt emotionally charged impressions in the corners of the cells where punished prisoners were known to have crouched and suffered. Some park rangers even refuse to go there alone. From the “Rocks” first visitors, tales of the energy of those who came to Alcatraz and never left have circulated for years and years. While the ghost stories of Alcatraz add to its eerie allure, perhaps the true hauntings lie in its intriguing history and the lives of those who once walked the halls.
Discover the Secrets of Alcatraz with an Unforgettable Voyage with City Cruises
There is a reason Alcatraz is San Francisco’s top tourist attraction with millions of visitors annually, and interest doesn’t appear to be waning. If you want to make the trip, there is only one way to get there. Alcatraz City Cruises is the ONLY authorized operator that provides tickets and transportation to Alcatraz Island. Alcatraz City Cruises is honored to be recognized as “Best Boat Tours” by Newsweek Magazine’s expert panelists and contributors and voted on by readers as the best of the best.
The stories of the island run deep in pop culture, and as you set out for the island, you can get a sense of what it must have been like to be a prisoner banished from society as you gaze back at civilization and face the isolation. Few places have a sense of intrigue and mystique about them like Alcatraz, and now is your chance to explore it and visit the world-renowned Cellhouse without the crowds! Step back in time during the Alcatraz Day Tour and experience the legendary Island, a Civil War fort, a military prison, and one of the most notorious Federal penitentiaries in U.S. history. If you are brave enough and seek a thrilling experience, then the Night Tour will truly captivate you as you experience the many moods of the island. Discover areas not available to the public with an Alcatraz Behind the Scenes Tour with a small group as you hear stories about the island’s fascinating past. The mysteries of Alcatraz Island beckon millions trying to find answers to the myths surrounding the area. Perhaps you will uncover secrets that echo through its halls. Alcatraz City Cruises and the National Park Service welcome you to explore.
