HISTORIC PLACES GUIDE

National Register of Historic Places

Alcatraz

Alcatraz is a historic place in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, listed on the United States National Register of Historic Places on June 23, 1976, and designated a National Historic Landmark. Its National Register reference number is 76000209.

San Francisco, San Francisco County, CaliforniaListed June 23, 1976NRIS #76000209★ National Historic Landmark
Photograph of Alcatraz
Photo: Alcatraz via Wikimedia Commons — see the file page for author and license. Image source
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Location 01

Alcatraz

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About this place

What is Alcatraz?

Alcatraz Island is a small island about 1.25 miles offshore from San Francisco in San Francisco Bay, California, near the Golden Gate strait. The island was developed in the mid-19th century with facilities for a lighthouse, a military fortification, and a military prison. In 1934, the island was converted into a federal prison, Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. The strong tidal currents around the island and cold water temperatures made escape nearly impossible, giving the prison one of the most notorious reputations of its kind in American history. The prison closed on March 21, 1963, leaving the island a major tourist attraction today with nearly 1.4 million people visiting the island annually.

Source: Wikipedia, text available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

The record

Listing details

Name
Alcatraz
City
San Francisco
County
San Francisco County
State
California
Listed on the National Register
June 23, 1976
NRIS reference number
76000209
Resource type
district
National Historic Landmark
Yes
Coordinates
37.82700, -122.42384
When was Alcatraz listed on the National Register?

Alcatraz was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 23, 1976.

Where is Alcatraz located?

Alcatraz is located in San Francisco, San Francisco County, California at approximately 37.82700, -122.42384. See the map above.

Is Alcatraz a National Historic Landmark?

Yes. Alcatraz is designated a National Historic Landmark, the highest federal recognition for a historic place.

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