1

Alcatraz wasn’t always a prison

Image: Maxim Babichev

Before housing America’s most dangerous criminals, Alcatraz served as a military fort. In 1850, President Millard Fillmore designated the island as a military reservation, and by the Civil War, it held prisoners of war. Its strategic location in San Francisco Bay made it ideal for defense. It wasn’t until 1933 that it officially became a federal penitentiary. Over the years, its role shifted dramatically, but its reputation as an isolated fortress remained constant.

2

Prisoners built their own cells

Image: Oxana Melis

Talk about a tough day on the job! When Alcatraz transitioned from a military prison to a federal one, military prisoners were put to work constructing their own confinement. Between 1909 and 1911, they reinforced the existing structures to prepare for the worst of the worst. By the time the Department of Justice took over, the prison was ready to house America’s most notorious inmates. Imagine building the very walls that would later trap you inside!

3

Guards and their families lived on the island

Image: Tyler Rutherford

Alcatraz wasn’t just a prison; it was also home to families. The guards and their families lived in houses and apartments on the island, creating a tight-knit community. Children took a ferry to school in San Francisco every day and played safely away from the prison yard. Some even recall watching movies in the recreation hall while criminals like Al Capone were locked up just a few feet away. Life on Alcatraz wasn’t all gloomy for those outside the cells.

4

No executions took place on Alcatraz

Image: Rita Morais

Despite its reputation, Alcatraz never had an execution chamber. While prisoner violence did lead to some deaths, executions were not carried out on the island. Inmates sentenced to death were transferred to facilities like San Quentin. That didn’t make life any easier in Alcatraz; many prisoners still feared the harsh conditions and inescapable isolation of The Rock.

5

The Pacific Coast’s first lighthouse was on Alcatraz

Image: Bruce Warrington

Before it became infamous for its prison, Alcatraz played a vital role in maritime safety . In 1854, it became home to the first lighthouse on the Pacific Coast, guiding ships through the often foggy San Francisco Bay. Though a larger lighthouse replaced it in 1909, the original helped countless sailors navigate the treacherous waters surrounding the island. Today, it stands as a historic landmark, reminding visitors of Alcatraz’s earlier days.

6

No inmate officially escaped

Image: Leo_Visions

While Hollywood loves a good prison break story, no prisoner ever successfully escaped Alcatraz, at least not officially. The closest attempt came in 1962 when three inmates, including Frank Morris, disappeared after digging their way out using spoons. Their bodies were never found, leading to decades of speculation. Did they drown in the freezing bay or make it to freedom? The mystery remains unsolved.

7

Alcatraz shut down due to high costs

Image: Jack Walker

Despite its reputation as America’s toughest prison, Alcatraz didn’t close due to security issues: It was just too expensive to maintain . The constant exposure to salt water eroded the buildings, and the cost of housing each inmate was three times higher than in other federal prisons. By 1963, the government decided to shut it down. The island was abandoned for years before turning into the tourist attraction it is today.

8

Some inmates requested transfers to Alcatraz

Image: Mylo Kaye

Despite its harsh image, some prisoners actually wanted to be transferred to Alcatraz. The prison provided single cells, which meant no cellmates to fight with . It also had some of the best food in the federal system because officers believed that well-fed inmates were less likely to cause trouble. For some, the strict routine and isolation were preferable to overcrowded, violent prisons elsewhere.

9

Alcatraz was named after pelicans

Image: Mollie Sivaram

Before it became synonymous with crime and punishment, Alcatraz was simply an island full of birds. Spanish explorer Juan Manuel de Ayala named it La Isla de los Alcatraces in 1775, which translates to "Island of the Pelicans." Over time, the name was anglicized to Alcatraz. Even today, the island remains a haven for seabirds, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise.

10

Alcatraz was never packed to capacity

Image: Kenny Eliason

Alcatraz was never overflowing with inmates . The prison had a maximum capacity of 336, but on average, only about 260 prisoners lived there at any given time. Sometimes, there were as few as 222. This was intentional—authorities wanted to ensure strict control over the inmates. It’s a far cry from the overcrowded prisons we hear about today.

11

Warm water showers had a hidden purpose

Image: David Castellón

Prisoners at Alcatraz were given warm water showers, not necessarily out of kindness, but as a security measure. Authorities believed that if inmates were used to warm water, they’d be less likely to brave the freezing bay in an escape attempt. Whether it worked or not is up for debate, but it certainly added another layer to Alcatraz’s infamous reputation.

12

Officers and inmates tended the gardens

Image: Maxim Babichev

Alcatraz wasn’t all cold concrete and iron bars; there were actually gardens on the island. Prison officers and even some inmates planted flowers and hardy greenery to make the island more livable. The tradition continued for decades, and today, the National Park Service maintains the Gardens of Alcatraz . It’s a surprising touch of beauty in a place best known for its harshness.

1

Gateway Arch’s time capsule

Image: Roger Miesfeld

The Gateway Arch, the 630-foot-tall monument located on the west bank of the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri, is famous for being the world's tallest arch. But few people know about the secret hidden at its peak.

In 1965, before the final piece of the stainless steel arch was put in place, a time capsule containing the signatures of 762,000 St. Louis students and residents was welded into the keystone. Just one more fun fact added to the mystique of this midwestern icon!

2

A celluloid treasure trove

Image: Denise Jans

Have you ever wondered where Hollywood's golden age films are preserved? Well, as it happens, they are not in the basement of some Tinseltown studio but more than 650 feet below the surface in a facility in Hutchinson, Kansas. Established in 1959, Underground Vaults & Storage specializes in storing a wide range of valuables, including paper documents and client records.

In addition, this site is a precious resource for the entertainment industry. Underground Vaults & Storage preserves—under optimal temperature and humidity conditions—film copies of classic cartoons, television programs like Friends , game shows, soap operas, and even the original reels of cinematic masterpieces like The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind .

3

A ‘Big Basket’ building

Image: Photo shot by Derek Jensen (Tysto, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Who says a building has to look traditional to be iconic? Why settle for an ordinary office building when you can work inside a basket? That's what the executives of the Longaberger Company, an American manufacturer and distributor of handcrafted maple wood baskets, thought when they relocated to Newark, Ohio, in 1997.

Their headquarters was designed as a seven-story building, a perfect replica of the company's top-selling product, the Medium Market Basket. The massive handles are attached to the structure with copper and wooden rivets, and the gold-leaf-plated tags each weigh 725 pounds. Though the building was a novelty, the company eventually abandoned it, and it is now listed for sale.

4

Empire State Building Wedding Club

Image: William Wachter

Popping the question on top of the Empire State Building has become a cherished tradition in the United States. Thousands of couples travel from all over the country to get engaged at one of New York City's most iconic buildings. But did you know that you can also celebrate a wedding there?

Every February 14, a few lucky couples are granted the unique opportunity to exchange wedding vows at the building's 86th Floor Observatory. Since 1994, hundreds of couples have said "I do" at this breathtaking location, celebrating Valentine's Day at America's most romantic landmark.

5

A supernatural castle

Image: Michelle_Raponi

Creativity, ingenuity, and perseverance can achieve extraordinary feats. Such is the case with Coral Castle, a massive limestone structure built by self-taught engineer Edward Leedskalnin in the early 20th century.

Located just north of Homestead, Florida, sits this construction built with stones larger than those at Stonehenge. Leedskalnin, who invested more than 28 years in this project, claimed that he raised it single-handedly using reverse magnetism and supernatural abilities. The truth is he probably used pulleys and other tools, but that doesn’t make it any less of a unique and original building that is a fascinating tourist attraction to this day.

6

Walt Disney's utopian city

Image: Paul Moody

Walt Disney was a visionary, and thanks to his infinite imagination today we have the most endearing characters and the best amusement parks in the world. But did you know that Disney originally envisioned his famous EPCOT Center as the blueprint for a larger utopian society?

EPCOT stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. Had Disney’s dream come to fruition, 20,000 people could have lived in a real, futuristic city complete with residential areas, shopping malls, factories, recreational parks, and a state-of-the-art multimodal road system to connect it all. Unfortunately, after his death in 1966, the company felt his original vision was a bit impractical. Instead, they created a theme park that captures the spirit of its creator, a permanent celebration of human achievement, from culture to technological innovation.

7

Secret codes

Image: Pixabay

The CIA is a mysterious organization, so it's no wonder that there is a sculpture hiding secrets sitting right in the courtyard of the George Bush Center for Intelligence in Langley, Virginia.

Named "Kryptos," this large copper sculpture was installed in 1990 and holds a series of four encrypted messages. Only three of these codes have been cracked, while the fourth remains one of the most famous unsolved cryptograms in the world.

8

The paper house

Image: Daderot, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

It seems that the 1920s was a time of inventiveness, innovation, and originality in architecture. During this decade, the United States built the most impressive skyscrapers and, as we've explored, even a massive limestone castle. But a house made of paper? It seems almost impossible, doesn’t it?

Well, we are about to prove you wrong. In 1924, a mechanical engineer called Elis Fritiof Stenman built a summer cottage made almost entirely out of pasted, coated, or rolled-up newspapers. The only exceptions were the framework, floorboards, and shingles. The house is located in Rockport, Massachusetts, and, believe it or not, is still standing and can be visited.

9

Race into the sky

Image: roberto_bellasio

The Chrysler Building on the East Side of Manhattan in New York City was once the world’s tallest building, holding the title for 11 months. But did you know that it almost didn't make it? Industrial pioneer Walter Chrysler, who commissioned the project, wanted his building to be taller than the Eiffel Tower. Originally designed to be 925 feet tall , the imminent construction of other taller skyscrapers forced architect William Van Alen to revise his plans.

This competition for the title of the world’s tallest building became known as the " Race into the Sky ." To beat his opponents, Van Alen ordered a 125-foot spire to be built in secret. It would only be attached to the roof after the rival buildings were finalized. When it was finished in May 1930, the Chrysler Building reached 1,046 feet, making it the tallest man-made structure in the world at the time. Unfortunately, less than a year later, the Empire State Building would claim that honor.

10

A laboratory under the sea

Image: NEOM

Did you know the world's only undersea research laboratory is located in the United States? Sixty-six feet below the surface of the ocean off the coast of Florida lies Aquarius Reef Base, an underwater lab where researchers work for up to ten days at a time.

Aquarius is dedicated to the study and preservation of coral reefs, fish, and aquatic plants. The facility is currently operated by Florida International University and contains sophisticated state-of-the-art lab equipment.

11

Give me the time of day

Image: Leo_Visions

A bridge that tells time? We are not kidding! When it’s not being used by pedestrians and cyclists to cross the Sacramento River in Redding, California, the Sundial Bridge at Turtle Bay serves as a giant timepiece.

The bridge's 217-foot support tower points north, and its shadow can be used to calculate the time. Designed by renowned Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, it was completed in 2004. So now you know, if your watch breaks or your cell phone dies on your way to Turtle Bay Exploration Park, you don't have to worry, the Sundial Bridge will always tell you the time of day!

12

The Capitol Subway System

Image: Harrison Haines

Few people know that a network of subway cars runs beneath Washington’s labyrinthine Congressional headquarters. The first Capitol Subway System opened on March 7, 1909, and has been transporting politicians seeking shelter from the weather—and curious onlookers—for more than a century.

The rails stretch for nearly a mile, connecting the United States Capitol to several congressional office buildings. While the public can ride the trains, the subway is restricted to congressional members and staff during votes.

1

Texas

Image: Joshua J. Cotten

Also known as the Lone Star, Texas’ flag features a single star on a vertical blue stripe, representing the state’s strong independent spirit. The red stripe represents courage, while the white stripe stands for purity.

In fact, the current design was adopted in 1839 during the Republic of Texas, echoing the state's history as an independent republic before joining the Union in 1845.

2

California

Image: Lesli Whitecotton

California's flag features a grizzly bear, a symbol of strength and independence. The star represents California's status as a republic in 1846 during the Bear Flag Revolt, and the red stripe signifies courage.

Interestingly, the bear depicted on the 1911 version of the flag is said to have been inspired by the last California grizzly bear held in captivity.

3

Arizona

Image: Denisse Leon

Arizona’s flag features a golden star surrounded by red and gold rays, symbolizing both the state’s arid landscape and copper mining industry. The blue and red colors are the same shade used on the flag of the United States.

The star commemorates Arizona’s statehood, achieved in 1912, while the thirteen rays symbolize the original Thirteen Colonies.

4

Colorado

Image: Courtney Cook

Colorado’s flag features blue, white, red, and yellow with a bold "C" encircling a golden disk. The blue symbolizes the sky, gold represents the state’s abundant sunshine, white the snowcapped Rockies, and red the "ruddy" earth.

The gold and white elements also honor Colorado’s gold and silver mining industries. Officially adopted in 1911, the flag stands as a tribute to the state’s natural beauty and pioneering heritage.

5

Florida

Image: Karl Callwood

Florida’s flag features a red cross with the state seal at the intersection. The cross represents the state's Spanish heritage, as it was originally founded by Spanish explorers.

The seal depicts a shoreline where a Seminole woman spreads flowers. While some suggest the woman represents the historical heroine Milly Francis, there is no evidence to support this theory. A Sabal palm and a steamboat complete the scene, reflecting Florida's vibrant scenery.

6

Maryland

Image: Gary Cole

Maryland’s flag stands out with its bold black and gold pattern, divided into quarters. The design incorporates elements from the family crest of the Calverts, the state’s founding family.

During the colonial era, Maryland used only the gold and black Calvert arms. The colors fell out of use after American independence but were reintroduced in 1854.

7

South Carolina

Image: Kelly

South Carolina’s flag features a white palmetto tree on a blue field, with a crescent moon beside it. The roots of this design have existed in some form since 1775, being based on one of the first American Revolutionary War flags.

An early version of this flag, known as the Moultrie Flag, was famously flown during the defense of a fortress on Sullivan's Island against the British fleet. The palmetto tree was later added as a symbol of the island’s successful defense.

8

Tennessee

Image: Brandon Hooper

Tennessee’s flag features three stars arranged in a triangular pattern, symbolizing the three regions of the state —East, Middle, and West Tennessee. The red, white, and blue colors align with the state’s commitment to unity and its place in the Union.

The current version, designed by Colonel Le Roy Reeves, was adopted in 1905. However, an earlier version already aimed to represent the state's three distinct regions with three slanted bars of red, white, and blue.

9

Hawaii

Image: little plant

Hawaii’s flag is unique among U.S. state flags. It features a Union Jack in the upper left corner, reflecting the historical ties between Britain and the Hawaiian Kingdom. It was first adopted in the early 19th century by the Kingdom of Hawaii and retained when the state joined the U.S. in 1959.

The eight horizontal stripes represent the eight main islands of Hawaii: Hawaiʻi, Maui, Kahoʻolawe, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, and Niʻihau.

10

Indiana

Image: Lucas Beck

Indiana’s flag features a large gold torch, with 19 smaller stars surrounding it, representing Indiana's status as the 19th state to join the Union. The torch symbolizes enlightenment and the path to progress.

Adopted in 1917, the flag’s design was chosen through a contest offering a cash prize. The winning design, created by Paul Hadley of Mooresville, Indiana, was selected as the official flag with only minor modifications.

11

Maine

Image: Aubrey Odom

Maine’s flag features a shield with a pine tree at its center, flanked by a farmer and a sailor, representing the state’s agricultural and maritime heritage. The North Star above the shield symbolizes guidance and Maine’s motto, "Dirigo," meaning "I Lead."

The pine tree is a nod to Maine’s nickname as the Pine Tree State. Adopted in 1909, the flag’s design emphasizes Maine’s strong connection to its natural resources.