The U.S. National Park Service which operates Alcatraz or 'The Rock' are hoping to add luxury hotel accommodations for vacationers so they can enjoy a 'fuller' experience of the island. San Francisco's Alcatraz Island, home to one of the world's most notorious prisons can become the next great tourist destination.
Photo of Alcatraz Island, as viewed from San Francisco. Image from Wikimedia Commons.Unlike the cell blocks which once housed notorious criminals as Al "Scarface" Capone, George "Machine Gun" Kelly or "Birdman of Alcatraz" Robert Stroud, overnight hotel guests would probably be housed in another part of the penitentiary, Building 64, which housed the guards and have impressive views across the San Francisco Bay.
'The Rock' is one of San Francisco's most popular draws, attracting more than 1.4 million tourists to its cellblock tours.
The U.S. National Park Service wants to offer its visitors the opportunity to explore the rest of the 12-acre island, with its unusual scenery and wildlife.
"People are constantly saying they want to see more of the island," said Rich Weideman, a park service spokesman. "A hotel would be the ultimate experience in visitor access."
Alcatraz , which was a military prison in 1861 at the start of the Civil War, became a federal prison from 1933 to 1963. Officials claimed escape was impossible because of the strong tides and cold temperatures of the surrounding waters--and there were no successful prison breakouts.
Link to the official U.S. National Park Service, Alcatraz Island, website.
» Source: The Vancouver Sun/Daily Telegraph
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