How Did the London Bridge Get to Lake Havasu?

By Michael Ferguson

Have you ever heard of the London Bridge in Lake Havasu, Arizona? You may be wondering how a bridge that was originally built in London ended up in the middle of the desert. Well, the story behind it is quite fascinating.

The History of the London Bridge

The original London Bridge was built in 1831 and spanned across the River Thames in London, England. It quickly became a landmark and an important part of London’s infrastructure. However, as time passed, the bridge began to deteriorate and by the 1960s, it was deemed unsafe for use.

The Sale of the London Bridge

In 1967, Robert P. McCulloch, an American businessman who had made his fortune in chainsaws and other tools, purchased the bridge from the City of London for $2.46 million dollars. Many people were surprised by this purchase, but McCulloch had a plan.

Transporting the Bridge

Transporting a massive bridge from one continent to another is no easy feat. The bridge had to be dismantled into more than 10,000 pieces and each piece was labeled with a unique code to ensure it would be put back together correctly.

Once all of the pieces were labeled and packed up, they were shipped across the Atlantic Ocean to California. From there, they were loaded onto trucks and transported to Lake Havasu City in Arizona.

Reassembling the Bridge

Reassembling a bridge with over 10,000 pieces is no small task either. The pieces were sorted according to their unique codes and then reassembled on site at Lake Havasu City over a period of three years.

The newly reassembled bridge was opened to pedestrian traffic on October 10th, 1971 and has become a popular tourist attraction ever since.

The Future of the London Bridge

The London Bridge has been standing in Lake Havasu City for over 50 years now and it still attracts visitors from all over the world. However, like any structure, it requires maintenance and repairs to ensure its longevity.

Recently, the Lake Havasu City Council approved a $4 million dollar renovation plan for the bridge. The plan includes structural repairs and updates to the lighting and landscaping around the bridge.

In Conclusion

The London Bridge’s journey from London to Lake Havasu City is a remarkable story. It’s a testament to human ingenuity and determination. Today, visitors can walk across the bridge and admire its architecture, while also learning about its rich history.