Fort Davis

Historical marker location:

3812 Alabama Avenue Southeast, Fort Davis, District of Columbia

( Marker is on Alabama Avenue Southeast north of Pennsylvania Avenue Southeast, on the left when traveling north.)

Marker installed: 1956

Civil War Defenses of Washington

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.