A
penitentiary located just a few miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge on San Pablo Bay in
California. San Quentin has been running for around 135 years and is famous along with
Alcatraz for its portrayals in televsion and movies. And it is also well know as a maximum security prison meaning only the worst criminals are housed there.
from
Prison Life is Different by James A. Johnston (1937)
....
A group of men came over in a
motor boat. It was a wonderful day on the bay and they had an exhilerating ride.
Everything they saw at the prison was new to them, and they were
complimentary concerning the order, system, and
cleanliness. In the hearing of the prisoners, they talked about their trip and about the beauty of the location. The prisoner who
kept accounts for the
steward of the general mess used to make out a menu every day and bring it to my office in the afternoon
so that I could see what was planned for the following day. He got quite a kick out of hearing the visitors enthuse about the
location. That evening the usual menu for the following day was on my desk, but it was dressed up and illustrated like a
hotel
prospectus and this was the copy:
Never since the opening in 1852 has the San Quentin Tavern enjoyed greater popularity or deserved
better reputation than under the present management. Scenically San Quentin is unsurpassed. The
location is superb. The climate is ideal. Nestled at the foot of the mountains of Marin, basking in the
glorious sunshine of California, fanned by the breezes of the beautiful bays of San Francisco and San
Pablo, the adventure-weary are allured and captivated and find rest and solitude so satisfying that many
stay for years during all the seasons, and some for life. Many who only stayed a short while on the first
trip, after trying other resorts, have returned again and again, and on each succeeding visit for a longer
time.
At present we have several thousand regular boarders, and the transients bring the average of meals
served to over nine thousand daily. Guests are always talking about our table. The cooking is plain but
good and wholesome, and meals are always served on time. Regular boarders preferred. As a special
inducement all who sign up for one year are given twelve months' board for ten months' pay. The place is
very valuable as a mineral property, being especially rich in "copper." In case of fire do not leave your
room before the door is unlocked. Guests departing before expiration of the time named in the contract
will eventually be required to pay in full. Before going away leave your permanent address at the
photograph gallery, as we want to have your name on our mailing list and keep in touch with your
whereabouts.
Exerpt from: http://www.notfrisco.com/calmem/sanquentin.html