Alcatraz History

Historical mugshot of Richard Franseen, Alcatraz Inmate and gardener.
Incarcerated Gardeners: Richard Franseen

Richard Franseen was sentenced to Alcatraz from 1937 to 1946 for counterfeiting. By 1940, he was assigned to yard duties, tending to a greenhouse and a little garden.

Mugshot of Elliot Michener, Alcatraz inmate and gardener.
Incarcerated Gardeners: Elliott Michener

After being sentenced for counterfeiting in 1941, Elliott Michener was involved in an escape plot from Leavenworth Prison and then sent to Alcatraz. He spent years on the island's west side creating cottage-style gardens.

Close up photo of a peach colored rose 'Buff Beauty' from the Historic Gardens of Alcatraz
Roses of Alcatraz Historic Gardens

Resident families introduced roses to Alcatraz during the military era, between 1850 and 1934. Surprisingly, roses thrived under these conditions and soon filled Alcatraz’s first gardens.

A historical photo of an incarcerated gardener watering plants in the gardens of Alcatraz.
Alcatraz Incarcerated Gardeners

Learn about the stories of Alcatraz Island's incarcerated gardeners.

Flowers in bloom at Alcatraz Historic Gardens
Alcatraz Historic Gardens Landscape Preservation Planning

Find out the story behind the preservation of the Alcatraz Historic Gardens.

An Alcatraz incarcerated gardener stands in Officers' Row
History of Gardening on Alcatraz Island

Discover the fascinating history of the Gardens of Alcatraz.

'The Big Lockup' exhibit at Alcatraz Island
'The Big Lockup: Mass Incarceration in the United States'

A permanent exhibit on Alcatraz Island tells the story of the United States prison system through the voices and experiences of those formerly incarcerated, scholars, and criminal justice advocates. 

Inside the New Industries Building on Alcatraz Island.
Inside the penitentiary: A civil rights struggle on Alcatraz

Robert Lipscomb, a Black man from Cleveland, Ohio, grew up during the Great Depression and, after a traumatic and destabilizing childhood, eventually ended up in the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary where he agitated for social change. 

Ranger Benny Batom at Alcatraz
Ranger Benny expands the conversation around Alcatraz

For nearly 30 years, Ranger Benny Batom has uncovered Alcatraz Island’s lesser-known history to bring untold stories to visiting students. He works to facilitate dialogue addressing contemporary issues around incarceration and justice. We sat down with Ranger Benny to ask him about his history and this moment.

Alcatraz Citadel Flyby
Experience the Alcatraz Citadel Virtually

Two closed-off stairwells lead down from the first floor of the Alcatraz Cellhouse to a lower, blocked-off basement level called the Citadel, one of the earliest structures on Alcatraz. Through the digital resources on this page, this site and its history can be observed and interpreted virtually. 

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