Alcatraz Island in San Francisco City and County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Lower Military Prison

From Fort to Prison

— Golden Gate National Recreation Area —

Lower Military Prison Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 1, 2022

1. Lower Military Prison Marker

Inscription. During the Civil War, Confederate sympathizers, political prisoners, deserters, and other army convicts were sent to Alcatraz. This marked the beginning of the island's evolution from fort to prison. After the war's end, the post was pressed to take an increasing number of military prisoners, forcing construction of temporary cellhouses or other facilities. A cluster of structures along this road was called the "Lower Prison".

After the army renamed Alcatraz "Pacific Branch, Military Prison" in 1907, most of the makeshift buildings were demolished and work began on the cellhouse that stands on the island's summit today.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Law Enforcement • War, US Civil.

Location. 37° 49.626′ N, 122° 25.344′ W. Marker is in San Francisco, California, in San Francisco City and County. It is on Alcatraz Island. It can be reached from no nearby street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: San Francisco CA 94133, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on California’s Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Indian Occupation 1969-1971 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Alcatraz Lighthouse (about 300 feet away);

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Western Gulls (about 300 feet away); Not Just a Water Tower (about 300 feet away); Warden's House (about 300 feet away); The Morgue (about 300 feet away); Officers' Club (about 300 feet away); Persian Carpet (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Francisco.

More about this marker. The marker is located on Alcatraz Island, about 2/3 of the way to the top of the uphill stretch leading to the administration building.

Lower Military Prison Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, February 1, 2022

2. Lower Military Prison Marker - wide view

<i>Alcatraz Island (prior to being a federal prison).</i> image. Click for full size.

courtesy of the Bancroft Library, University of California at Berkeley

3. Alcatraz Island (prior to being a federal prison).

"Alcatraz Island (prior to being a federal prison). Disciplinary barracks for recalcitrant soldiers, U.S. Military Barracks; lighthouse, top; old fort (originally for protection of harbor at time of Civil War); tide gauge, semicircular ornament, left (south side) of island." - Bancroft Library

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 400 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 13, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.