Houseboats on the Waterfront

Historical marker location:

890 Water Street Southwest, Southwest Waterfront, District of Columbia

( Marker is on District Square Southwest west of Wharf Street Southwest, on the left when traveling west.)

The District was a major center of the slave trade in the 19th century: Prior to the Civil War, Washington, D.C. was home to one of the largest slave markets in the country. Slaves were bought and sold in public auctions held in the city, and many prominent politicians and businessmen owned slaves.