The Ghost of Alcatraz Island

Every year, over one million people come by ferry to this most famous landmark. Located in the San Francisco Bay in California, Alcatraz Island served as a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and a federal prison as well. In the beginning, the Native Americans believed the island to be inhabited by evil spirits. As severe punishment for violations of tribal law, Indians were sometimes isolated for a period of time on the island or even banished for life to live among the evil spirits. Since the early 1800’s, American Indians prisoners were often jailed at the military prison here on Alcatraz Island. Since then, in 1964 and again in 1969 Indians of all types, took control of Alcatraz Island and liberated it in protest against the U.S. Government. Today, the island is a historic site operated by the National Park Service and it is open to tours.

One of Alcatraz’s most famous prisoners was Gangster, Al Capone. During his stay here, Capone often complained about being harrassed by the ghost of the men he had killed. He said that the spirits wouldn’t leave him alone and slowly it seemed to be driving him insane. Capone spent four and a half years here in Alcatraz.

Although No executions were ever done here on Alcatraz island; 8 murders, 1 suicide, and 1 unexplained death did occur here when it was a federal prison. These deaths might be the cause of some of the hauntings here on Alcatraz. Many of the guards who work here have reported seeing, hearing, and being touched by the ghost. One of the most haunted places in the old jail is the former cell of prisoner Bird Man Robert Stroud. People have reported being grabbed by an unseen entity while standing in this cell. Others report feeling very scared or worried for no reason at all as soon as they entered the cell.

Since the 1940’s, apparitions have been seen at the site of the now burned-out shell of what use to be warden Johnson’s house. When the prison was still open, guards told of hearing phantom cannon and gunshots, accompanied by screams that were so real they sent the seasoned guards diving to the ground, believing that prisoners had somehow escaped and obtained weapons. After taking cover, the guards would then cautiously look around to see absolutely nothing. Another often reported experience of the guards was the smell of smoke that often came from a deserted laundry room as if something was on fire. When they went to investigate the black smoke was so thick it drove the guards from the room. However, just minutes later, the room was completely smoke free. These kinds of incidents could never be explained.

The notorious D-Block of the prison is said to have been, and continues to be, the most haunted block in all the prison. While first built the same as the other cellblocks, the Bureau of Prisons appropriated additional money for a more secure D-Block after the 1939 escape attempt, in which Arthur “Doc” Barker was killed.

During a Christmas Party at Warden Johnston’s house, several guards told the story of a ghostly man who suddenly appeared before them wearing a gray suit, brimmed cap, and sporting mutton-chop sideburns. As the startled guards stared at the apparition, the room suddenly turned very cold and the fire in the stove was extinguished. Less than a minute later, the spirit vanished.

Often it has been reported that on foggy nights, an old lighthouse will suddenly appear out of no where, accompanied by an eerie whistling sound and a flashing green light which makes its way slowly around the island. Appearing to both guards and visitors alike, the spectacle vanishes just as quickly as it appears.

Alcatraz is a strange, but awesome place to visit. It definately deserves its rank as one of the most haunted places in America.