Center Market Once the largest commercial market in Washington, Center Market <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/165">opened in 1801</a>. The original buildings were replaced in 1872 by a building designed by <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/70">Adolph Cluss</a>. The market was close to the <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/41">Washington City Canal</a>, <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/42">railroads</a>, and <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/193">streetcar lines</a>. It was <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/138">demolished in 1931</a> and is the current site of the National Archives. <a href="http://mallhistory.org/items/show/139">Vendors sold all manner of goods inside</a>: produce, meat and fish, and staples. Because of its access to transportation, Center Market was able to sell goods that had been grown or produced far away; fast, dependable railroads and streetcars made it possible to offer fresh foods before they spoiled. <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Adolf+Cluss">Adolf Cluss</a> Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. <a href="http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2005684081/">View original</a>. 1801 (Established) 1872 (Reconstructed) 1931 (Destroyed) <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=38&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1800-1829">1800-1829</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=38&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1920-1949">1920-1949</a>