Union Engine House

Historical marker location:

789 19th Street Northwest, Foggy Bottom, District of Columbia

( Marker can be reached from the intersection of 19th Street Northwest and H Street Northwest, on the left when traveling south.)

Marker installed: 1997

architecture houses residential buildings

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.