The Octagon

Historical marker location:

1799 New York Avenue Northwest, Foggy Bottom, District of Columbia

( Marker is on New York Avenue Northwest east of 18th Street Northwest, on the right 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.