Riggs Bank Medallions

Historical marker location:

1704 G Street Northwest, Foggy Bottom, District of Columbia

( Marker can be reached from G Street Northwest just west of 17th Street Northwest, on the left when traveling west.)

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.