Capitol Square

Historical marker location:

109 1st Street Southwest, Capitol Hill, District of Columbia

( Marker is at the intersection of 1st Street Southwest and Garfield Circle Southwest on 1st Street Southwest.)

Historical Information

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.