The Rock

If you think this post is about Dwayne Johnson, I’m sorry to mislead you, we are not talking about that Rock today, although he is worthy of his own post admiring him. However today we are going to discuss The Rock, as in Alcatraz Prison.

Alcatraz, located on a island in the San Francisco bay, was a notorious prison. Those sent there knew there was virtually no way to escape, and the waters surrounding the island were freezing cold and hazardous to swim due to the strong currents.

Originally built in 1847, 1.25 miles from San Francisco, CA. The small island was originally developed for a federal prison, military prison, lighthouse and military barracks. The federal prison operated from 1934 to 1963.

In 1969 the island was occupied by a group of Native American Activists from across the country. They held control of the island for 19 months. They wanted to convert the island into a Native American education, ecology, and cultural center. The provisions set forth by the Treaty of Laramie of 1868, stated that all federal lands that are abandoned, retired, or out of use would be returned to the native peoples from whom they were acquired. So for all purposes, the Activists were proceeding according to the law. In 1971 after months of negotiations, the occupation ended.

But onto the rest of the story; the federal prison was established in 1933 after it was converted from a military prison. It was intended to house prisoners who continually caused problems at other facilities.

The prison had seen notorious criminals in it’s 29 years of service such as; Al Capone, Robert Stroud (The Birdman of Alcatraz), George “Machine Gun” Kelly, Doc Barker, Alvin Karpis, just to name a few.

During it’s time as a penitentiary, the facility bragged that no successful escape had occurred. 36 prisoners made 14 escape attempts. 2 prisoners tried twice. 23 were caught and returned, 6 were shot and killed during the attempt, 2 drowned and 5 are listed as missing presumed drowned. In my honest opinion, I disagree. It is probably widely believed that 3 men were successful in their escape from The Rock.

Frank Morris, John Anglin, and Clarence Anglin. They are currently missing and presumed drowned. They escaped by putting papier Mache heads, resembling their own in their beds, and escaped via an unused utility corridor, out to an inflatable raft of sorts. Where they ended up is unknown but it is believed that the Anglin brothers went to South America. And then returned to the United States, staying in South Florida. Their family received postcards randomly and from different locations. Their mother received flowers every Mother’s day until her death in 1973. At her funeral, two very tall, heavily made up women were seen attending the funeral.

The FBI confirmed the receipt of a letter received in 2018, presumed to be written by John Anglin, stating that Frank died in 2008 and is buried in Alexandria by a different name, Clarence had passed away in 2011. John was looking to negotiate the terms of his surrender for medical help for his cancer. You decide if they escaped or not. I believe they did.

But with all the history and reputation of the prison, is it haunted?

Many people have experienced phenomena in the prison. Inmates, guards, and now those tourists who visit the island. Some of the things you may experience include:

• Cell 14D- The dreaded cell that many visitors claim has an extreme coldness that surrounds them. The inmate in this cell died, screaming that a creature was going to kill him. Cell 14D (Left) was a punishment cell.
• Cell blocks, A,B, and C – From these blocks you may hear disembodied screams or moans.
• There is the chance you may encounter a prisoner known as “The Butcher” who was executed in the 1940’s.

The prison is now part of the National Parks department and provide a variety of tours on the island. Be sure to view their website at alcatrazislandtickets.com.

Have you had the opportunity to check out Alcatraz? If so have you experienced any paranormal events? Please share if you have!

You are your own best investment