My guest is prolific author Larry Millett. His knowledge of Twin Cities architecture and history is unequalled in Minnesota, and he has used his knowledge to write some of the best local history books in the last thirty years. We initially discuss downtown Minneapolis’ lost crown jewel, the spectacular Northwestern Guaranty Loan Building (which would later become the Metropolitan) and how it was built through the shady dealings of real estate speculator Louis Menage – only to be torn down in 1962, along with the tragic destruction of the rest of the historic Gateway District. He documents its existence in his book “Metropolitan Dreams: The Scandalous Rise and Stunning Fall of a Minneapolis Masterpiece”.
Then we move on to some of his other fascinating books, including “Strange Days, Dangerous Nights: Photos from the Speed Graphic Era”, “Murder Has a Public Face: Crime and Punishment in the Speed Graphic Era”, and his series of novels that brings Sherlock Holmes to Minnesota to solve crimes.
More about Larry Millett can be found here at his website, including his history blog: https://www.larrymillett.com/
If you’d like to begin his Sherlock Holmes series, the first book is called “Sherlock Holmes & the Red Demon”. Buy it at your local bookstore or here: https://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Holmes-Fesler-Lampert-Minnesota-Heritage/dp/0816674833
