Secrets of Alcatraz

Just a mile or so off San Francisco's famed Fisherman's Wharf is one of the most desolate, windswept islands you'll ever encounter, and it's also one of the most famous islands in the world. Every year, millions of tourists visit Alcatraz Island, once home to some of the nation's most dangerous criminals. Today, all that remains of the federal prison are rusting cells and guard towers, but as this video shows, Alcatraz has quite a history. "The Rock" was first inhabited by California Native Americans who were drawn to it because of its rich bird and fish life, but it wasn't until the 1850's that permanent structures were built. Throughout the Civil War and into the early years of the twentieth century, Alcatraz served as a military post, but in the 1930's it was transferred to the Bureau of Prisons and took on the ominous reputation it still carries today. After the prison was closed in the early 1960's, many plans were presented for turning Alcatraz into everything from a memorial to a ritzy condominium community, but it finally came under the purview of the National Park Service. Today, it has become a popular tourist destination and is likely to become more of a nature preserve as portions of the island are allowed to go wild. Interest in Alcatraz is always high--especially now with the video release of The Rock--and this will be a most popular addition. Recommended. Aud: P. (J. Carlson)