Derelict building on Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, California

Originally a Spanish (later Mexican) mission and pueblo, it was conquered by the United States in 1846 and by an invading army of prospectors following the 1848 discovery of gold in its hinterland. The Gold Rush made San Francisco a cosmopolitan metropolis with a frontier edge. In early 1900s the city tried to remake itself into a grand and modern Paris of the West.

Alcatraz is a small island located in San Francisco Bay, California. It was the site of a military fort in the mid-19th century and later served as a federal prison from 1934 to 1963. Alcatraz is known for being the home of some of the most infamous criminals in American history, including Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly. During its time as a prison, Alcatraz was known for its harsh living conditions and strict rules. It was considered to be one of the most secure prisons in the United States and was intended to hold the most dangerous and high-profile prisoners. After the prison was closed in 1963, the island became a national park and is now a popular tourist destination. Visitors can take tours of the island and learn about its history, including the attempted escapes that took place during its time as a prison. Alphonse "Al" Capone was a notorious American gangster who was known for his involvement in organized crime in the 1920s and 1930s. He was the leader of the Chicago Outfit, a criminal organization that was involved in various illegal activities, including bootlegging, gambling, and prostitution. In 1931, Capone was convicted of income tax evasion and sentenced to 11 years in prison. He was initially sent to the federal prison in Atlanta, Georgia, but was later transferred to Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in San Francisco Bay, California, in 1934. Despite his reputation as a tough guy, Capone reportedly had a tough time adjusting to life at Alcatraz, and he was said to be haunted by the memories of the violence he had committed. Capone was released from Alcatraz in 1939, due to his declining health. He died a few years later in 1947, at the age of 48. George "Machine Gun" Kelly was an American gangster who was known for his involvement in organized crime in the 1920s and 1930s. He was known for his use of the Thompson submachine gun, which earned him the nickname "Machine Gun." In 1933, Kelly was arrested and sentenced to life in prison for his involvement in the kidnapping of a wealthy oilman, Charles Urschel. He was initially confined to Leavenworth Penitentiary in Kansas, but was later transferred to Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in San Francisco Bay, California, in 1934. He was known to be a difficult inmate and was involved in several incidents while at Alcatraz. Kelly was released from prison in 1958, at the age of 57. He died a few years later in 1964, at the age of 63. The "Birdman of Alcatraz" was the nickname of Robert Stroud, a prisoner who was confined to Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in San Francisco Bay, California, for more than three decades. Stroud is perhaps most well-known for his work with birds, which he began while serving a life sentence in Leavenworth Penitentiary in Kansas. While in prison, Stroud became an expert on birds and wrote several books on the subject. He also kept birds as pets and used his knowledge of avian medicine to help other prisoners who were suffering from various ailments. Despite his interest in birds and his efforts to help others, Stroud was known for being a difficult and violent inmate, and he spent much of his time in solitary confinement. Stroud was eventually transferred to Alcatraz in 1942, where he spent the remainder of his prison term. He continued to work with birds and write about them while at Alcatraz. He became known as the "Birdman of Alcatraz" and was the subject of a book and a film of the same name.