1/2/2013 MinneCulture

The History of Nicollet Island, Part II
Produced by Jessica Folker
Once a posh enclave for the city's wealthiest residents, Nicollet Island had turned gritty by the early 20th century. Dominated by industry and inhabited by transients, many who wandered onto the Island were drawn to the bars and flophouses of skid row. By the 1970s, slumlords offering cheap rent attracted an enclave of colorful characters, and Nicollet Island became home to an eclectic mix of hobos, hippies, artists and working-class families. In Part II of the History of Nicollet Island, producer Jessica Folker introduces us to former and current Island dwellers, who share stories about living with drifters, donkeys and some of the Twin Cities' best musicians on this urban island oasis.