The River in Focus

Historical marker location:

1300 First St SE, Navy Yard, District of Columbia

( Marker is on Anacostia Riverwalk Trail just east of 3rd Street Southeast.)

Capitol Riverfront. DC Amplified. Life Simplified

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.