Murder Bay
Item
Title
Murder Bay
Description
In the years preceding the Civil War, the area bordered by Pennsylvania Ave., 15th, and the "open sewer" of the Washington Canal was a slum characterized by rampant prostitution, muggings, and robberies. The population of this area increased during the Civil War as soldiers took advantage of Murder Bay's cheap alcohol and brothels. This area eventually came to be known as "Hooker's Division" or just "Division," and became a destination for former slaves. Reform movements in the late 1800s generally failed, but in 1928, the city leveled Murder Bay and began building Federal Triangle in its place.
Source
Library of Congress Geography and Map Division. View original.
Date
1928 (destroyed)
Coverage
1830-1859
1920-1949
topic
building the mall
ghost mall
neighborhood