Bartholdi Fountain

Historical marker location:

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

( Marker is at the intersection of Washington Avenue Southwest and Independence Avenue Southwest, on the left when traveling south on Washington Avenue Southwest.)

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.