Yates Building

Historical marker location:

201 14th Street Southwest, Southwest Federal Center, District of Columbia

( Marker is at the intersection of 14th Street Southwest and Independence Avenue Southwest on 14th Street Southwest.)

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.