A Historic Landscape

Historical marker location:

100 1st Street Southwest, Southwest Federal Center, District of Columbia

( Marker can be reached from the intersection of Washington Avenue Southwest and Independence Avenue Southwest, on the right when traveling north.)

United States Botanic Garden

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.