Ben's Chili Bowl / Minnehaha Theater

Historical marker location:

1213 U Street Northwest, U Street Corridor, District of Columbia

( Marker is on U Street Northwest east of 12th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling west.)

African American Heritage Trail, Washington, DC. 1213 U Street, NW

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.