Department of State

Historical marker location:

2201 C Street Northwest, Foggy Bottom, District of Columbia

( Marker is on 23rd Street Northwest south of D Street Northwest, on the right when traveling north.)

Harry S. Truman Building. 23rd Street Entrance

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.