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Alcatraz History

Alcatraz staff member Edwin Sera stands in front of the cell house.
Article

A 'special' spot: Here's what it's like to work on Alcatraz

Alcatraz Island is one of the most unique places to work in the Bay Area, and many Parks Conservancy team members keep coming back year after year.
Flowers at the Alcatraz Gardens
Parks

Survivor plants on Alcatraz Island

Among the surviving ornmental plants are daffodils, fuchsias, agapanthus, pelargoniums, various succulents, fig trees, apple trees, walnut trees, artichokes, scented bearded iris and roses.
A park ranger leads a program at Alcatraz Island
Gateways Article

Meet the Alcatraz park ranger sparking new conversations on the island

Ranger Oliver Goodman was raised in a family where "nobody hiked, nobody camped," but attending protests and participating in community events were a part of everyday family life. Alcatraz immediately struck him.
The view from the Alcatraz Cruises boat to Alcatraz Island.
Parks

Alcatraz video visit: Tour Alcatraz Island for views, gardens, NEW stories

Get a sneak peek at new things to find on the island as we celebrate 50 years of Alcatraz being open to the public as a national park site.
The Gardener of Alcatraz
Alcatraz Historic Gardens

The Gardener of Alcatraz

A prisoner gardens his way to freedom in this inspiring picture-book biography.
Purchase now
Alcatraz historic gardens
Our Work

Alcatraz Gardens Virtual Tour

Take a virtual tour of the Alcatraz Historic Gardens
Our Work

Support the Alcatraz Historic Gardens

Resident families introduced roses to Alcatraz during the military era, between 1850 and 1934. Surprisingly, roses thrived under these conditions and soon filled Alcatraz’s first gardens.
Parks

Rainwater Catchment System at the Alcatraz Historic Gardens

Mugshot of Alcatraz inmate and gardener Albert Smith
Stories

Incarcerated Gardeners: Albert Smith

Albert Smith, found guilty of four counts of robbery, was sentenced to serve 10 to 24 years in prison. He was sent to Alcatraz in 1945 after an attempted escape, and began work duties as a gardener the following year.
Historical mugshot of Richard Franseen, Alcatraz Inmate and gardener.
Stories

Incarcerated Gardeners: Richard Franseen

Richard Franseen was sentenced to Alcatraz from 1937 to 1946 for counterfeiting. By 1940, he was assigned to yard duties, tending to a greenhouse and a little garden.