I get this response fairly often.

It turns out that Alcatraz is not part of the National Parks because of the prison. Alcatraz has a long history and even without the prison would be part of the National Parks. The first lighthouse on the west coast was on Alcatraz. It is the oldest civil war era fort on the west coast (the prison is built on top of the old citadel). It was an integral part of history of the American Indian Movement. It has stunning views of the entire bay area. It also has been the subject of many movies (did you know that the best movie of 2006, The Departed, was based on a man who served time in Alcatraz?).

That said, every one comes to see the prison, so that clearly is the attraction.

Sitting in the cellblock, late in the day, looking at all the little cells is a bit eerie. I often wonder what people find attractive about a prison. But, I think it is the same thing that causes people to gawk at fires, rubberneck at traffic accidents, and yell at football games. We always wonder how other people live, maybe there is some desire to see how people in prison live? The most common reaction I see is people shaking their heads and wondering how someone was able to get through it.

I wonder if you have the same opinion about war and places like Gettysburg and Pearl Harbor?

History isn't pretty.

Ray