National Capitol Columns

Historical marker location:

3501 New York Avenue Northeast, Arboretum, District of Columbia

( Marker can be reached from Elipse Road Northeast north of Beechwood Road Northeast, on the right when traveling south.)

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.