When I took this pic about 10 years ago, I did not imagine that there would be planning for the Federal Bureau of Prisons to return. After serving the U.S. Army since the 1850s, from 1934-1963, the island was an active civilian penitentiary. Reasons that it was closed include the tremendously high cost of housing the maximum capacity of 312 prisoners here (more than 3x other prisons) and the maintenance for the buildings that are constantly exposed to salt water.

The rails in the foreground are the former San Francisco Belt Railroad (formerly State Belt Railroad) at Pier 43. Since 2000, the tracks in this area have become part of the SFMTA's F Line.

Alcatraz Island
San Francisco, California
Septmeebr 26, 2015