The Rock: A History of Alcatraz Island, 1847-1972. Historic Resource Study, Golden Gate National Recreation Area

摘要

The historic resource study, completed by Erwin N. Thompson, details the history of Alcatraz Island from the early Spanish explorers to 1972 when the island became a part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, with special concentration on the period of 1847-1972. The author separates the material into eleven chapters under the following headings: An Introduction to Alcatraz Island; The First Fortifications, 1853-1863; The Years of Transition, 1863-1869; Alcatraz's Defenses Revamped, 1869-1876; The Last Years as a Fortified Place, 1876-1907; Garrison Life on the Rock, 1859-1934; The Military Prison for Desperate or Irredeemable Types - U.S. Penitentiary, The Alcatraz Light; Schemes and Dreams; and Evaluations and Recommendations. Attention is given to the structures, repairs completed, the transition from a military installation to a military prison and to a federal prison, and to the Indian takeover in the 1960's. The report mentions some of the notorious prisoners, jailbreaks, andd treatment of the in-mates.