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"The Rock," Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, California, circa 1940

Subjects
LighthousesWaterfronts & Harbors
Card type
Linen
Date
c. 1930 (White Border)
Front of "The Rock," Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, California, circa 1940, c. 1930 linen postcard
Front
Back of "The Rock," Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, California, circa 1940, c. 1930 linen postcard
Back

About this postcard

Aerial-style view of Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, showing the long cellhouse block along the crest, the lighthouse tower, the walled recreation yard, and the lower buildings and dock at the island's tip, with the Marin hills faint on the horizon. The card names the island by its nickname, "The Rock." Alcatraz served as a U.S. Army post and military prison from the 1850s before becoming a federal penitentiary in 1934, housing inmates such as Al Capone and Robert Stroud until it closed in 1963; the lighthouse seen here was the first built on the Pacific Coast.

Postcard Details

Message

No message detected

PublisherEdward R. Stenberg
"THE ROCK," ALCATRAZ ISLAND, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.—7 --- The famous Federal prison on Alcatraz is known throughout the country. It is practically escape-proof. A powerful search-light and a foghorn warn shipping to keep clear. 14772 Post Card PLACE STAMP HERE NATURAL COLOR POST CARD MADE IN U.S.A. BY E. C. KROPP CO., MILWAUKEE, WIS.-(JBY) PUB. BY EDWARD R. STENBERG, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.
Addressed to
Mrs Emeline Koslik

Box 202, Babylon, NY

Postcard record

PublisherEdward R. Stenberg
Series7
ConditionVery good
Place addressedMrs Emeline Koslik, Box 202, Babylon, NY
Place depictedAlcatraz Island, San Francisco, CA
PublisherEdward R. Stenberg, San Francisco, CA
NotesLinen-textured stock with a narrow white border; printed card number "—7" at the end of the caption. No postmark (card is unstamped). Divided-back "Natural Color" post card printed by E. C. Kropp Co. for publisher Edward R. Stenberg; handwritten date Mar-2-1945 on the message side; light edge wear and slight toning.

Cite this card

"The Rock," Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, California, circa 1940, postcard, c. 1930. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/the-rock-alcatraz-island-san-francisco-california-circa-1940. Accessed October 24, 2026.