USS Balao (SS-285)

Historical marker location:

614 Sicard Street Southeast, Navy Yard, District of Columbia

( Marker can be reached from Isaac Hull Avenue Southeast south of Tingey Street Southeast, on the right when traveling south.)

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.