Alcatraz
Why it's listed
Alcatraz is a rocky island in San Francisco Bay, about a half mile long and 140 feet high. Acquired by the United States in 1848, it was fortified from 1853 with batteries, casemates, a sally port and a brick Citadel protected by a dry moat. The Citadel was designed to be defended entirely by rifle fire. The fortress never fired a shot in anger, but it served as a deterrent during the Civil War. Its remote setting and cold, swift waters also made it a natural prison. It became a military prison, was formally designated one in 1907, and from 1934 to 1963 was a maximum-security federal penitentiary for the most unmanageable convicts, including Robert Stroud and Al Capone. The 1969 to 1971 Indian occupation left several buildings burned and others vandalized. Salt air has since caused serious decay. Since 1972 the island has been part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area, open for tours.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · catalog entry. Generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29).
| Period of significance | 1853-1971 |
|---|---|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Military, Engineering, Social History |
| Acreage | 47 |
| Boundary source | NPS cultural-resource GIS polygon |
| Full listing page | Alcatraz (property record) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.