Linking the "Island" to the City

Historical marker location:

395 O Street Southwest, Southwest Waterfront, District of Columbia

( Marker is at the intersection of 4th Street Southwest and O Street Southwest, on the right when traveling north on 4th Street Southwest.)

River Farms to Urban Towers. Southwest Heritage Trail

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.