Takoma Recreation Center

Historical marker location:

301 Van Buren St NW, Takoma, District of Columbia

( Marker is on Van Buren Street Northwest just west of 3rd Street Northwest, on the left when traveling east.)

founded in 1958

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.