Last January (2017) my tv show went to San Francisco for a week and a half to film, so on the weekend we all toured the city. Some of us decided to go to Alcatraz, which was well worth it! I love exploring historical sites. Having grown up in Alaska, our buildings are all fairly new structures. Not too much history to be found.
I took a bunch of photos, which is surprising for me as I have a fear for shooting in public. My guess as to why I was comfortable is the fact that this is an island full of tourists that ALL have their cameras and phones out. Hah.
This is my first travel blog, so please leave any comments or critiques you might have. Here goes!
THE ISLAND OF ALCATRAZ
The Island didn't start off as a prison, which is what it's most known for. It got it's name in the late 1700's when the Spanish sailed through. Lt. Juan Manuel de Ayala and his crew docked on the island to chart the harbor and he called it "La Isla de Los Alcatraces" or the Island of the Sea Birds (which we saw plenty of during our walk around the island!)
The United States secured the island in 1848 as part of a treaty to end the Mexican War. By 1859, having realized it could be used as a defense against any enemy attack on the bay, the US had built the largest fort west of the Mississippi River. It was utilized heavily during the Civil War from 1861-1865. After the war, it slowly became home to soldier convicts and eventually was designated strictly as a Military Prison in 1907.
You'll notice the United States Penitentiary sign upon exiting the boat with the words, "Indians Welcome" painted next to it. In 1969 years after the prison had closed came the Indian Occupation. Indian American activists seized the island and claimed it as indian land. The protest only lasted 18 months as their publicity and living situations began to deteriorate.
Continuing on up the road...
ALCATRAZ SOCIAL HALL
Looking up on the hill you will see the Social Hall, also known as the Officers' Club. This was for the Federal Penitentiary workers and their families living on the island to gather and mingle. In 1970 during the Indian Occupation, it was burned down during an accidental fire that also hit the Warden's Home and the Lightkeeper's Residence.
And onward we go again!
I'm going to pause for a moment and continue this another day. Travel Blogs are no joke! I hope I've kept your interest so far. Next I'll show you my walk around inside the penitentiary.
I will leave you with a selfie...
-Maya
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Whooooo! Thank you so much guys! I was hoping to catch your attention. ;)
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Hiya, just swinging by to let you know that this post made the Honorable mentions list in today's TravelDigest #181
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Whaat?! Thank you!
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such wonderful photos! i've always been fascinated with Alcatraz so thanks for featuring it here! by the way im a Curie curator and i'll be submitting this to them! Followed you and looking forward to your future posts! :)
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Potato is here 😀
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Thank you so much!
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Thanks for sharing... amazing photos, all of them!! And I REALLY love the first building, it's charm and colours are gorgeous!! I can't believe you have a fear of shooting in public, your photos are always beautiful... I would have never guessed. I also just have to say, I love the colour tone so many of your photos have, I don't know what you do or how you do it but they're always beautiful. I've tried to put that colour tone to a couple of mine recently and I just don't seem to be able to hit it.
I look forward to seeing the next chapter! : )
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Thank you! Yeah I can take photos of nature easy, but taking photos of people in public makes me feel weird. Just gotta go out and do it more. And for the colors thank you! It's all just a simple tweak in Lightroom. I know I scared you away from it with my video, but that was Photoshop, not Lightroom. I promise it's easy after you play around with it and it will make all the difference in photos. ;)
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You're welcome! Well you only sort of scared me off... it overwhelmed me that's for sure, made me think how am I going to do THAT! Lol... but between my son and my husband they're meant to be arranging to get it for me. I'll probably try it and think oh my goodness, leave it for a short while and then try and tackle it. I seem to do that... I hate change... it annoys me to no end when programs do updates and everything has changed and it's different but at the same time it is something I'd really like to try and learn! : )
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travel and stories that interest me
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WOAH! No wonder you took so long! This is just amazing!
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And that's only half! Lol.
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Congratulations, Your Post Has Been Added To The Steemit Worldmap!
Author link: http://steemitworldmap.com?author=alevaskye
Post link: http://steemitworldmap.com?post=a-tour-of-alcatraz-part-1
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Well, very nice post, especially since it is your first travel blog!
You have a very immediate approach that gave me the feeling I took this little excursion with you. The only thing I might have done different (just my opinion, I am not an expert) is posting a few pictures less.
Looking forward for the next part!
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Thank you very much! Yes, I did suspect I put up too many. Not used to posting a full blog, usually I only ever even edit like 5-10 of my favorite photos to post individually, but when I did this since it's more of a walking story, I added them all. Ugghh. Which also meant I had to edit them all too! Hopefully after a few posts I'll learn what to use and what to keep out. Thank you for the critique!
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Wow i really liked the article, very nice photo s with good focus and contrast. Destination you are writing about is really awesome, if I come to America i will visit Alcatraz for sure.
Ty for nice article and photos, i really enjoyed. And I will vote-up, comment and resteem this awesome article Maya.
If you like traveling visit my blog, fallow me up, vote me up if you like articles.
https://steemit.com/travel/@interdeus/visit-croatia-part-4-the-island-of-korcula-the-home-of-marco-polo
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Thank you for the compliment!
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my hometown!! just a small typo in your post. San Francisco. :)
great shots and now i miss my Bay even more today.
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Oops, I'll fix that now! Thank you!
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no worries. :)
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Wow you are really pretty! And so are all of these photographs!
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Amazing post and great shots, thanks for sharing :)
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Wow, can't believe you visited Alcatraz! That's truly awesome and something to remember - well, you have quite some pictures ;-)
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