Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), a unit of the National Park Service, was established by Congress in 1972 as part of a trend to make national park resources more accessible to urban populations and bring “parks to the people.” Alcatraz Island was included as part of this new National Park Service unit because of its unique natural resources and human history, opening to the public on October 25, 1973.

Alcatraz is a Popular Destination

Over the last 45 years, Alcatraz has become one of the most popular visitor destinations in the world, attracting more than 1.7 million people from around the world each year who come “to meet” some of the America’s toughest criminals eye-to-eye.

Prior to 1973, visitors had never been allowed on the Island before and the response was overwhelming – more than 50,000 people visited Alcatraz during the first year it was open. Historians estimate this was more people than had set foot on the Island during all of its previous recorded history.

The History of Alcatraz

The history of Alcatraz is estensive.In addition to housing some of the most notorious criminals in the country, Alcatraz has been an important setting before and after it’s life as a prison. The first prison on the island was established in the late 1850s, when the U.S. Army originally held military prisoners during the American Civil War and Spanish-American War. In the early 1900s, a new prison was constructed. The 600-cell prison, which is known today as Alcatraz, was finished in 1912. Alcatraz became a maximum-security prison on July 1, 1934, and housed some of the most notorious inmates like Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly, and Alvin “Creepy Karpis” Karpowicz. Native Americans return each October and November to hold a sunrise ceremony commemorating their 1969 occupation of the former prison. Some other cool facts:

• The Alcatraz Lighthouse, oldest in the west, still sends out its beam
• The Island is considered an ecological preserve, and was once home to one of the largest colonies of Brown Pelicans on the northern California coast
• The Island’s foghorn still sends out its throaty roars as summer fogs creep in through the Golden Gate to cloak Alcatraz Island in mist and mystery

The National Park Service

The National Park Service (NPS) is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of the Interior charged with managing the preservation and public use of America’s most significant natural, scenic, historic and cultural treasures. The NPS manages the Golden Gate National Parks as well as 394 other park sites across the U.S. For more information visit the National Park Service – Golden Gate website.

Visit the Island with Alcatraz City Cruises

You can explore a piece of history with Alcatraz City Cruises! There are multiple tour options to select from, which means there is something for everyone! While all experiences should be on your itinerary, a couple favorites include the Alcatraz Behind the Scenes Tour, where visitors will be able to see areas of the prison that are otherwise not available to the public. This 4-5-hour tour will take you all around the off-limit areas, before joining up with the Alcatraz Night Tour. On the night tour, you will get the chance to enjoy a sunset from the island, while also experiencing the many moods, exclusive tours, and activities of Alcatraz after dark.

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!

Original Post Date: October 25, 2018