The Celestial Map

Historical marker location:

2101 Constitution Avenue Northwest, Foggy Bottom, District of Columbia

( Marker is on Constitution Avenue Northwest (U.S. 50) east of 22nd Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west.)

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.