16 - Warden's House

WAYSIDE LAYOUT: Cream colored, horizontally oriented panel with a dark banner running across the top. The banner reads “Golden Gate National Recreation Area” on the left and the National Park Service logo on the right. The panel has two rows of information. The first row has text and one photograph. The second row has a background image and a photograph.  

FIRST ROW:  

TEXT: Warden’s House: Alcatraz’s executive mansion. For many years, Alcatraz’s powerful resident lived in a Victorian cottage on Officers’ Row. That changed in 1921 when this 15-room mansion was completed. Built on the island’s summit to command respect, this was the official residence of the military prison’s commandant until Alcatraz opened as a federal penitentiary in 1934.  

From 1934 to 1963, each of the penitentiary's four wardens lived here, just steps from his private entrance to the cellhouse.  

DESCRIPTION: Black and white photograph of a man and woman, seated in wing chairs. They are positioned on either side of a Christmas tree, centered.  

CAPTION: Warden and Mrs. Edwin Swope celebrated several Christmases here between 1948 and 1955.  

SECOND ROW:  

DESCRIPTION #1: A photograph of the warden’s house, faded into the background of the panel. The house is large and shows three levels, with each floor featuring many windows on each level. 

CAPTION: The warden’s house burned in a 1970 fire, which also destroyed other buildings on the island.  

DESCRIPTION #2: A black and white image showing a man standing at the doorway of an attached greenhouse.  

CAPTION: A trusted inmate did chores inside the warden’s house and tended the terraced gardens and greenhouse outside.