For the Working People

Historical marker location:

801 Mount Vernon Place Northwest, Mount Vernon Square, District of Columbia

( Marker is at the intersection of Mount Vernon Place Northwest (U.S. 1) and 9th Street Northwest (U.S. 1), on the right when traveling west on Mount Vernon Place Northwest.)

Midcity at the Crossroads. Shaw 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.