Leonard M. Elstad

Historical marker location:

800 Florida Avenue Northeast, Gallaudet, District of Columbia

( Marker is on Lincoln Circle Northeast near Florida Avenue Northeast, on the right when traveling east.)

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.