92 years ago today, on August 11, 1934, 14 federal prisoners arrived at Alcatraz from McNeil Island Penitentiary in Washington, marking the opening of San Francisco’s infamous federal prison.
Built to hold the country’s most ruthless inmates, the isolated outpost on the bay would go on to house Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, and other notorious criminals before closing as a penitentiary in 1963.
Today, visitors take the ferry to The Rock voluntarily, although some of the prison’s most recognizable interior spaces are temporarily closed as of July 2024, as the National Park Service is implementing historic preservation work in the Cell House.
Here’s a closer look…
Why is Alcatraz under renovation?
In 2020, the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) granted the Golden Gate National Recreation Area millions of dollars to carry out infrastructure projects on Alcatraz. The bay’s salty air, wind, fog, and moisture have long taken a toll on Alcatraz’s historic structures.
$35 million of the GAOA grant is funding repairs and seismic upgrades on the concrete wharf. Earlier this year in April, emergency dock repairs closed access to the entire island and suspended tours for five days. Officials anticipate another temporary closure later in 2026, according to USA Today.
Another $63.6 million goes towards seismic and structural upgrades in the Main Prison Building, which temporarily closed the hospital wing, dining hall, and shower room starting in July 2024. The island anticipates reopening these areas in 2028.
Work includes strengthening numerous foundation walls, replacing deteriorated steel reinforcement, repairing concrete spalling, removing hazardous materials, installing storm windows, improving seismic resistance, and more.
Fortunately, the standard Cell House tour is still available through the main cell block. However, visitors will not be able to explore the hospital wing, dining hall, or shower room while preservation work continues.
🌐 Learn more: Alcatraz Island – National Park Service