Explore Alcatraz, a prison island in the San Fransisco Bay. But why did people try to escape and what else is there to this island. Listen now to find out!
Episode Notes:
Other events on the island
A year after the prison closed 5 men from the Sioux tribemade their way to the island and filed a claim to it based on the 1864 treatygiving tribes the right to unused federal property (offered the gov $5.64 forthe island, .47 per acre, same amount offered to them for the land taken bywhite men during the gold rush) claim was ignored and they left peacefully
In November 1969, 80-100 members of varioustribes moved onto the island and sent a list of demands to the federalgovernment. They wanted the land for the tribes, with plans to set up aspiritual center, museum, ecology center, and school. They didn’t want it to be turned into atourist trap. They received supplies and funding from the Black Panther group,Jewish Women’s Organization, and even Hell’s Angels. Their occupation of theisland lasted until June 11, 1971. In 1972 it was declared a national park and in October of 1973 it opened to visitors. It was named a historic landmark in1986, which means it holds a place in American history of value.
Source Material:
- Escape From Alcatraz: The Mystery of the Three Men Who Escaped from The Rock. Eric Braun
- Visit and Learn Alcatraz. Tamika M. Murray
- Alcatraz: History and Design of a Landmark. Donald MacDonald, Ira Nadel
- Growing Up in the Shadow of Alcatraz. Emma Bland Smith
- The Infamous Alcatraz Prison. Marilyn Tower Oliver