Waterfront Commerce

Historical marker location:

900 Maine Avenue Southwest, Southwest Waterfront, District of Columbia

( Marker is at the intersection of District Square Southwest and Maine Avenue Southwest, on the right when traveling south on District Square Southwest.)

Marker installed: 2017

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.