Alcatraz

Alcatraz is most commonly known as a prison, however it started out as a military fort. For many years Alcatraz was a lonely island that was only visited by Native Americans.Then by 1853 the construction started to become a fort. It was armed with heavy artillery, and it became a very important fort, during the civil war.

Military technology was improving fast and Alcatraz couldn't keep up with it so it was it was closed. A few years later Alcatraz was turned into the first heavy duty prison in the world.

Technically Alcatraz was a prison since when it was a fort. They put confederate soldiers or any one that was accused of rape, theft, and treason was sent to Alcatraz. It was also a place for Indians during the western expansion. A lot of famous people were imprisoned in Alcatraz, such as Al Capone, Alvin "Creepy" Karpis...etc

Now Alcatraz is once again closed and is now a museum. Some people think it is a waste to leave all that land not used but Alcatraz is part of American history.