Summer Rewind – Alcatraz

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Is Alcatraz Haunted?

Welcome to the Ghostly Summer Rewind! While we take a short break from new episodes this summer, we’re reaching back into the vault to re-release five of our favorite episodes. We’re starting with everyone’s favorite prison on a rock – Alcatraz with a special guest appearance by Al Capone.

This episode originally aired back in early 2020, in the earlier days of the show. Quick heads-up: you may notice the sound quality and formatting aren’t quite up to our current standards — we’ve learned a lot since then! We hope you’ll excuse the rougher edges and just enjoy the story. Whether you’re hearing it for the first time or revisiting an old favorite, thanks for spending part of your summer with us. New episodes return this fall — but for now, back to the Rock.

Is Alcatraz haunted? In Ghostly’s thirty-fifth episode, Pat and Rebecca explore Alcatraz prison, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. Not only does this former fortress have an interesting history, it also is shrouded in spooky stories. But is it a home for ghosts?

Questions Explored in this Episode

What is the history of Alcatraz Island, and how did it get its name? What role did the prison play in the Civil War? How did it go from military fortress to prison to tourist destination? Did anyone ever escape from Alcatraz? Which cell blocks are considered the most haunted and why? Who are the most famous tenants of the island? What are the biggest ghost stories? Is Alcatraz haunted?

Listener Mail and Questions

Special Bonus Reader Request! Eric, son of Mondo, requested we tell a story in honor of Chinese New Year. Listen to how the beginnings of the major holiday actually stem from a supernatural creature.

We also have some great personal stories from listener Elisa involving a personal ghost…or is it? Have a story or question of your own (or someone you know)? Send your story or question to info@ghostlypodcast.com and we might read it on the podcast. You can also email us individually at pat@ghostlypodcast.com or rebecca@ghostlypodcast.com. You could be on a future episode of Ghostly!

Ghost Story

Listen to Rebecca tell a story based on one of the most famous ghost sightings on Alcatraz involving one of its most famous residents.

History of Alcatraz

Listen to Pat give the history of Alcatraz prison. He explains how it came into the hands of the United States government, and then discusses the Rock’s dark history of being first a military fortress and then a maximum-security prison. He reviews its most famous residents including The Birdman of Alcatraz, Al Capone, and Whitey Bulger.

Time for the Debate!

Join Pat and Rebecca for a debate on several of the most often told stories of the prison. Cell Blocks D and C are full of ghost stories, and former guards and even a warden have spooky experiences to share. Are they telling the truth? Listen and you decide.

Done Listening to the Episode?

Please subscribe to Ghostly and give us a rating on iTunes or any podcast app where they let you. Tell your friends! Then you can debate the truth yourselves! Word of mouth is one of the best ways to grow our audience, so we can do all the amazing things we have planned. And be sure to find us on all social media at Ghostly Podcast.

Then visit our website, www.ghostlypodcast.com, to learn more about Ghostly. Also be sure to check out our merchandise Zazzle store at http://ghostlypodcast.com/store for all your Ghostly merch!

We want to hear from you! We want your ghost stories or even your non-stories if you later realized you saw nothing paranormal. We would also love your suggestions for stories to cover in the future. Email us both at info@ghostlypodcast.com or individually at pat@ghostlypodcast.com or rebecca@ghostlypodcast.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at GhostlyPodcast.

Sources for this Week’s Episode

Music for this Episode (performed by Michael Rivers)

  • Intro: “III. Allegro moderato from Gargoyles” by Lowell Liebermann
  • Outro: “Dream Images (Love-Death Music)” by George Crumb
  • Bumper: “Ghost Waltz” by Lowell Liebermann