Alcatraz Island in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Not Just a Water Tower
A Message to the World
— Golden Gate National Recreation Area —
Photographed By Joel Seewald, April 3, 2019
1. Not Just a Water Tower: A Message to the World Marker
The Alcatraz water tower is one of the most visible landmarks in San Francisco Bay. As such, it was an ideal place for American Indians who occupied the island to broadcast their message of "peace and freedom" to the world. Standing on each other's shoulders to paint the letters, they satked their claim to the island.
The 19 month protest from 1969 to 1971 became the longest occupation of Federal land in US history, and is credited with launching a national American Indian civil rights movement. When the National Park Service (NPS) restored the water tower in 2012, original occupiers and family members were invited to repaint the historic message. The NPS continues to work with the occupiers to restore their inscriptions around the island.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Communications • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1969.
Location. 37° 49.647′ N, 122° 25.407′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is on Alcatraz Island. This marker is located southeast of the water tower, near the morgue (follow the red signs for the Cellhouse Audio Tour).
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Morgue (a few steps from this marker); Officers' Club (within shouting distance of this marker); First Escape Attempt (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Quartermaster Warehouse and Power Plant (about 300 feet away); Lower Military Prison (about 300 feet away); Alcatraz Lighthouse (about 500 feet away); Indian Occupation 1969-1971 (about 500 feet away); Persian Carpet (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.
Also see . . .
1. Occupation of Alcatraz. Wikipedia article (Submitted on May 13, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
2. We Hold the Rock. Article on the National Park Service website written by Dr. Troy Johnson from California State University, Long Beach. (Submitted on May 13, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.)
Additional keywords. American Indian Movement (AIM)
2. Upper image
History of the Water Tower (inset)
When the US military transferred Alcatraz to the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) in 1934, the BOP signed a contract to provide laundry service for Bay Area army bases. With no fresh water source on the island, large volumes of water were transported for drinking, fire suppression, and the prison laundry. Installed in 1940, the water tower stored the 250,000 gallons (950,000 liters) of fresh water brought by boat twice weekly. Today the island uses approximately 1,500 gallons a [sic] water a day that is stored in a nearby cistern.
When the US military transferred Alcatraz to the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) in 1934, the BOP signed a contract to provide laundry service for Bay Area army bases. With no fresh water source on the island, large volumes of water were transported for drinking, fire suppression, and the prison laundry. Installed in 1940, the water tower stored the 250,000 gallons (950,000 liters) of fresh water brought by boat twice weekly. Today the island uses approximately 1,500 gallons a [sic] water a day that is stored in a nearby cistern.
3. Lower images
Left/below: Park staff and original occupiers and family members participating in repainting the water tower messages after its restoration in 2012.
Right: Water tower with messages in 1975.
Right: Water tower with messages in 1975.
Photographed By Diane Phillips
4. A view of the Water Tower and Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 414 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 13, 2019, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. 4. submitted on August 28, 2020, by Diane Phillips of Pittsburg, California.
