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Rock of ages - Alcatraz pictured in 1938. The "Rock" served as a federal penitentiary from 1934 until 1963.

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The infamous 1962 escape - Prison mug shots of convicts (left-right) Frank Lee Morris, Clarence Anglin and John Anglin. The bottom-row images are computer generated to reflect what the escapees might look like today.

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2012 - the 50th anniversary of the arguably successful breakout - Mearl Anglin Taylor (right), and her sister Marie Anglin Widner pictured in 2012 discussing their brothers' escape from Alcatraz Island. Both said they believe the brothers survived the June 11, 1962 escape.

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One of the most intricate escapes ever devised - John Anglin's cell preserved for posterity at the former Alcatraz Island federal prison. The bunk features a replica of the papier-mâché dummies made with human hair stolen from the barbershop.

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Welcome to Alcatraz - Today the penitentiary is a public museum and one of San Francisco's major tourist attractions.

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Sign of the times - The main prison building was built in 1910–1912 during its time as a United States Army military prison.

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A fascinating exhibition - Modernized in 1934 to meet the requirements of a high security prison, some of America's most ruthless criminals were imprisoned here, including Al Capone and George "Machine Gun" Kelly.

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Inside Alcatraz - The prison facilities have undergone careful refurbishment, but much of the interior retains its original architectural features.

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Authentic experience - Tours of the prison take in all the buildings. This is the infirmary, where sick and injured inmates were sent. It's located in the Main Cell House.

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Prison cell block - The refurbished cells can be explored by visitors.

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Operations hub - The control center as it would have looked some 60 years ago.

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Behind bars - One of the original cells, purposefully designed so that none of them adjoined an outside wall, typically measured 9 ft by 5 ft, and 7 ft high.

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The Alcatraz siege - Also known as the "Alcatraz Blastout," the most violent escape attempt occurred on May 2–4, 1946.

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Dressed for the occasion - The reception area and dressing room, where new arrivals would be issued with standard prison uniforms.

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Island infrastructure - Interior view of the New Industries Building, located on the western end of Alcatraz Island.

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Time to read - The Library inside the cellhouse on Block D.

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The cellhouse - Refurbished cells in D-Block.

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Window of opportunity - The view from a prison cell window across the bay to San Francisco.

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Prison complex - Alcatraz Island, developed with facilities for lighthouse, fortification, and prison, is now a national recreational area and a National Historic Landmark.

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Alcatraz in Hollywood - Several films have featured the infamous prison. A notable movie is the biographical drama 'Birdman from Alcatraz' (1962), starring Burt Lancaster as inmate Robert Stroud.

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Art imitating life - Clint Eastwood famously played Frank Morris in 'Escape from Alcatraz' (1979). The film depicted events leading up to and during the breakout.

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Celluloid action - The action thriller film 'The Rock' (1996) starred Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage.

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Ruins of the Warden's House - James Johnston was the first warden of Alcatraz. He was succeeded by Edwin Swope and later, Paul Madigan. The fourth and last warden was Olin Blackwell. He was on leave during the daring 1962 breakout.

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A splash of color - The penitentiary gardens are still tended to today, and provide vivid contrast against the stark prison cell blocks.

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The exercise yard - The facility looks exactly the same as it did when the prison first opened.

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Alcatraz in the 21st century - A view of "The Rock" from San Francisco.

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Alcatraz in the 20th century - The same view in 1940.

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Tourist attraction - Today, Alcatraz is an engaging tourist attraction. The museum exhibits include objects made by notorious inmates, historic photographs and documents, escape materials, and the original papier-mâché dummy heads made by the 1962 escapees.

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The prison grounds - Extensive refurbishment has transformed the appearance of Alcatraz Island, but not to the detriment of the original layout.

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Alcatraz, iconic landmark -

"The Rock" seen from San Francisco's Telegraph Hill and North Beach neighborhoods. Today, 1.5 million visitors escape to Alcatraz annually.

See also: Incredible island prisons around the world

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