Alcatraz Island remains one of the most recognizable and infamous spots in American history, serving over the years as a military fortress, a federal penitentiary, and a site of Native American activism.
This quiz covers the island’s notorious inmates, its most daring and mysterious escape attempts, and its eventual transition into a heavily visited national park.
Once you finish, you can check out our quizzes on historic places, discover more legendary islands and beaches, or explore other famous landmarks around the world.
In which body of water is Alcatraz Island located?
Chicago River
Chicago River
New York Harbor
New York Harbor
San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay
Puget Sound
Puget Sound
Before becoming a famous federal prison, what was the primary use of Alcatraz in the mid-19th century?
A lighthouse keepers’ colony
A lighthouse keepers’ colony
A naval shipyard
A naval shipyard
A hotel for tourists
A hotel for tourists
A military fortress and prison
A military fortress and prison
Which notorious Chicago gangster was perhaps the most famous inmate to serve time at Alcatraz?
Alvin ‘Creepy’ Karpis
Alvin ‘Creepy’ Karpis
Robert ‘The Birdman’ Stroud
Robert ‘The Birdman’ Stroud
Al Capone
Al Capone
George ‘Machine Gun’ Kelly
George ‘Machine Gun’ Kelly
What is the popular nickname given to Alcatraz Island?
The Rock
The Rock
The Gray Fortress
The Gray Fortress
The Concrete Cage
The Concrete Cage
The Island of Tears
The Island of Tears
In what year did the federal prison on Alcatraz officially close?
1959
1959
1963
1963
1965
1965
1961
1961
Which agency currently manages Alcatraz as part of a national recreation area?
Bureau of Prisons
Bureau of Prisons
State of California
State of California
Coast Guard
Coast Guard
National Park Service
National Park Service
In what year did a group of Native American activists begin their nineteen-month occupation of the island?
1973
1973
1971
1971
1967
1967
1969
1969
Who was the mastermind behind the famous June 1962 escape attempt involving dummy heads?
Frank Morris
Frank Morris
John Paul Scott
John Paul Scott
Arthur Barker
Arthur Barker
Clarence Anglin
Clarence Anglin
What was the primary method used by most escapees who attempted to flee Alcatraz?
Hiding in a food shipment
Hiding in a food shipment
Swimming to shore
Swimming to shore
Tunneling under the bay
Tunneling under the bay
Helicopter rescue
Helicopter rescue
In what year did Alcatraz officially open as a federal penitentiary?
1934
1934
1938
1938
1932
1932
1936
1936
What is the official conclusion regarding inmates who successfully escaped Alcatraz?
The official stance is that no one successfully escaped
The official stance is that no one successfully escaped
Over 50 convicts successfully reached freedom
Over 50 convicts successfully reached freedom
Only 5 convicts were never found
Only 5 convicts were never found
14 convicts officially escaped
14 convicts officially escaped
Before arriving at Alcatraz, where was Al Capone incarcerated?
St. Louis, MO
St. Louis, MO
Sing Sing, NY
Sing Sing, NY
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta, GA
Leavenworth, KS
Leavenworth, KS
At which prison did Robert Stroud, famously known as the ‘Birdman of Alcatraz’, actually conduct his research and write his books on bird diseases?
Folsom
Folsom
Sing Sing
Sing Sing
Leavenworth
Leavenworth
San Quentin
San Quentin
Alcatraz Island is part of which larger National Park Service unit?
Silver Bay
Silver Bay
Alcatraz State Park
Alcatraz State Park
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Pacific Coastal Reserve
Pacific Coastal Reserve
What is a notable geographic and historical fact about the Alcatraz lighthouse?
The lighthouse was never actually functional
The lighthouse was never actually functional
The lighthouse on the island is the oldest one in the United States
The lighthouse on the island is the oldest one in the United States
The lighthouse on the island is the oldest one on the West Coast
The lighthouse on the island is the oldest one on the West Coast
The lighthouse was built by prison inmates
The lighthouse was built by prison inmates
Which of following describes the primary purpose of Alcatraz as a federal penitentiary?
It was a punishment for the worst inmates in the federal system
It was a punishment for the worst inmates in the federal system
It was a minimum security facility for elderly inmates
It was a minimum security facility for elderly inmates
It was originally designed as a vocational training center
It was originally designed as a vocational training center
It was only used for female prisoners
It was only used for female prisoners
How long did the Native American occupation of Alcatraz last?
11 months
11 months
19 months
19 months
15 months
15 months
23 months
23 months
How many correctional officers were killed during the 1946 escape attempt known as ‘The Battle of Alcatraz’?
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
What was the name of the organization that led the Native American occupation?
Indians of All Tribes
Indians of All Tribes
Native Rights Alliance
Native Rights Alliance
Civilization and Sovereignty
Civilization and Sovereignty
The Sovereign Alcatraz Coalition
The Sovereign Alcatraz Coalition
What, according to their original proclamation, did the Native American occupiers intend to build on the island?
A university research station
A university research station
A luxury residential development
A luxury residential development
A cultural center and museum
A cultural center and museum
A federal bird sanctuary
A federal bird sanctuary
Which of the following people was involved in the famous 1962 Alcatraz escape attempt?
Al Capone
Al Capone
Robert Stroud
Robert Stroud
Frank Morris
Frank Morris
George “Machine Gun” Kelly
George “Machine Gun” Kelly
What was the primary health issue that contributed to Al Capone’s decline while imprisoned?
Heart disease
Heart disease
Syphilis-induced dementia
Syphilis-induced dementia
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Diabetes complications
Diabetes complications
You can do better
Not bad
Great!
If you enjoyed this, try our quizzes on legendary film and TV locations, explore weird travel curiosities, or browse our main collection of geography trivia.
