The History of Canal Square

Historical marker location:

1054 31st Street Northwest, Georgetown, District of Columbia

( Marker is on 31st Street Northwest south of M Street Northwest, on the left when traveling north.)

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.