Knapp Memorial Arch

Historical marker location:

1301 Independence Avenue Southwest, Southwest Federal Center, District of Columbia

( Marker is at the intersection of Independence Avenue Southwest and 12th Street Southwest, on the left when traveling west on Independence 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.