'King Of Skid Row' Looks At Gritty Mpls. History

Most cities have colorful parts to their history, and Minneapolis is no exception. Now there's a new book that explores the city's Gateway District.

"The King of Skid Row: John Bacich and the Twilight Years of Old Minneapolis" follows the owner of a bar, liquor store and a cage hotel in the gritty neighborhood, before it was swept away by an urban renewal project in the early 1960s.

Author James Eli Shiffer joined Kylie Bearse and Jason DeRusha on WCCO Mid-Morning this Thursday.

There will be a book launch for "The King of Skid Row" Thursday night at Mill City Museum in Minneapolis starting at 7 p.m.

The event will also include screenings of John Bacich's skid row home movies, and launches the photograph exhibit "Skid Row Minneapolis."