A Monumental Legacy

Historical marker location:

100 15th St NW, The National Mall, District of Columbia

( Marker is at the intersection of 15th Street Northwest and Madison Drive Northwest, on the left when traveling north on 15th Street Northwest.)

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.