Evil Spirits, Civil War, and Prison at Alcatraz

Evil Spirits, Civil War, and Prison at Alcatraz
AP Photo/Eric Risberg

Sitting like a beacon in the middle of the San Francisco Bay is Alcatraz Island. Though most prominently known for the years it served as a maximum security prison, the “Rock's” history stretches far beyond those infamous days, and its legends and stories continue to find their way into American lore, complete with a number of ghosts who are said to remain upon the island.

History of Alcatraz

Long before Alcatraz became home to some of the most notorious outlaws in the country, it was known as a place to be avoided by Native Americans who believed it to contain evil spirits. These Native Americans, called the Ohlone (a Miwok Indian word meaning “western people”), often utilized the island as a place of isolation or banishment for members violating tribal laws. Despite the legends of evil spirits, Alcatraz was also used by the Indians as an area for food gathering, especially bird eggs and sea-life.

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