William O. Douglas

Historical marker location:

1058 30th St NW, Georgetown, District of Columbia

( Marker is at the intersection of Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath and 30th Street Northwest when traveling west on Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath.)

Marker installed: 1977

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.