Former guards, prisoners set to meet on Alcatraz for 75th anniversary of “The Rock”
By APFriday, August 7, 2009
Guards, prisoners reunite on “The Rock”
SAN FRANCISCO — Former guards, prisoners and other Alcatraz residents are traveling to “The Rock” this weekend to commemorate its 75th anniversary as a federal prison.
Many of those planning to attend are children of guards who grew up on the island and are known as the Island Gang.
The event is open to the public but sold out weeks ago.
Alcatraz started as a fort, then became an Army disciplinary barracks. The Bureau of Prisons took over in 1934 and housed some of the nation’s most notorious inmates there, including Al Capone, until 1963.
It later was occupied by American Indians for 18 months. The island became part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 1973 and remains a popular tourist destination.
Information from: San Francisco Chronicle, www.sfgate.com/chronicle
