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Alcatraz History

Close up photo of a peach colored rose 'Buff Beauty' from the Historic Gardens of Alcatraz
Parks

Roses of 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.

Rose escapes from Alcatraz

BBC

The Bardou Job rose has come back to Welsh soil after an escape from the legendary island of Alcatraz.

A historical photo of an incarcerated gardener watering plants in the gardens of Alcatraz.
Parks

Alcatraz Incarcerated Gardeners

Learn about the stories of Alcatraz Island's incarcerated gardeners.
Flowers in bloom at Alcatraz Historic Gardens
Our Work

Alcatraz Historic Gardens Landscape Preservation Planning

Find out the story behind the preservation of the Alcatraz Historic Gardens.
An Alcatraz incarcerated gardener stands in Officers' Row
Our Work

History of Gardening on Alcatraz Island

Discover the fascinating history of the Gardens of Alcatraz.
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland gazing at the Golden Gate Bridge
Stories

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland visits the GGNRA and Alcatraz

Secretary Haaland met with the Indians of All Tribes to mark the 52nd anniversary of the Occupation of Alcatraz Island, a key milestone in the history of the island, our country, and the broader Native American civil rights movement.
'The Big Lockup' exhibit at Alcatraz Island
Our Work

'The Big Lockup: Mass Incarceration in the United States'

A permanent exhibit on Alcatraz Island tells the story of the United States prison system through the voices and experiences of those formerly incarcerated, scholars, and criminal justice advocates.
Inside the New Industries Building on Alcatraz Island.
Park E-Ventures Article

Inside the penitentiary: A civil rights struggle on Alcatraz

Robert Lipscomb, a Black man from Cleveland, Ohio, grew up during the Great Depression and, after a traumatic and destabilizing childhood, eventually ended up in the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary where he agitated for social change.
Ranger Benny Batom at Alcatraz
Article

Ranger Benny expands the conversation around Alcatraz

For nearly 30 years, Ranger Benny Batom has uncovered Alcatraz Island’s lesser-known history to bring untold stories to visiting students. He works to facilitate dialogue addressing contemporary issues around incarceration and justice. We sat down with Ranger Benny to ask him about his history and this moment.
Alcatraz Citadel Flyby
Parks

Experience the Alcatraz Citadel Virtually

Two closed-off stairwells lead down from the first floor of the Alcatraz Cellhouse to a lower, blocked-off basement level called the Citadel, one of the earliest structures on Alcatraz. Through the digital resources on this page, this site and its history can be observed and interpreted virtually.