African-American History in Southwest

Historical marker location:

890 Water Street Southwest, Southwest Waterfront, District of Columbia

( Marker can be reached from the intersection of Wharf Street Southwest and District Square Southwest, on the left when traveling north.)

The city was built on a swamp: The area that is now Washington, D.C. was originally a swampy, marshy region along the Potomac River. The construction of the city involved extensive drainage and landfill projects to make the land suitable for building.