Battle of Alcatraz – May 1946

The Alcatraz cellhouse being shelled by mortars, May 3, 1946

Prison riots have appeared in many popular movies through the decades, including comedies such as Pardon Us with Laurel and Hardy, Westerns (such as Devil's Canyon with Dale Robertson) and one of the most famous, Birdman of Alcatraz with Burt Lancaster.

But did you know that Birdman of Alcatraz was based on an actual riot at the notorious island penitentiary known as "The Rock?"

And the bloody prison riot that was a result of an escape attempt played out eighty years ago this week and became known as the Battle of Alcatraz. It lasted from May 2 to May 4, 1946. Two platoons of Marines had to be called out. Two federal prison officers died, as well as three inmates.

Here are the front pages of the Lorain Journal from May 3rd and 4th, 1946, with the story.

You can read more about the Battle of Alcatraz on the Alcatraz History website, as well as here.

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As usual, there are plenty of interesting articles on the two front pages. The May 3, 1946 edition includes a report that clears up any confusion about the type of Quonset huts that were used in the Kew Gardens housing development for Veterans. 

As the article notes, "Lorain is going to get steel huts with gable roofs, instead of the "igloo" type Quonset structures, to provide temporary living quarters for married war veterans."

The style of the structures, according to the article, are the "brand new "tropical type" huts which have side walls and gable roofs, thus providing more "head room" and living space inside."

"The igloo huts originally slated for the city curve like a brewer's vat cut in half and allow enough space only in the center of the floor for a person more than five-feet, seven inches tall to stand upright."