It began operations in the 19th century while the United States Army operated Fort Alcatraz and continued to provide services after the transition to the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary.

Though Alcatraz is now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the hospital is not included on the general tour.

[1] In 1870, the military hospital had ten beds, as well as tables, chairs, washstands, a dumbwaiter, and a closet.

It contained three large wards with five hospital beds each, two isolation wards, a treatment room, surgery room, and a supply room, a doctor's office, dentists office, and chief Medical Technical Assistant's (MTA) office, plus a kitchen, and a bathroom with toilet and shower.

[6] Two of the most notable hospital patients were Robert Stroud, the "Birdman of Alcatraz", who spent eleven years confined to the infirmary to separate him from the general population,[7] and Al Capone who spent more time in the hospital than in the general prison population.