The London Bridge is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world. It was originally built in London in 1831 and stood over the River Thames for over 100 years.
However, in 1967, after years of wear and tear, it was decided that the bridge needed to be replaced. But what happened to the old London Bridge? How did it end up in Arizona?
The Bridge’s History
Before we dive into how the bridge ended up in Arizona, let’s take a quick look at its history.
The old London Bridge was designed by John Rennie and completed in 1831. It was a stone arch bridge that connected the City of London with Southwark. The bridge quickly became an important landmark and an important part of London’s history.
Over time, however, the bridge began to show signs of wear and tear. The increase in traffic on the bridge meant that it was no longer able to support its weight. In 1967, it was decided that the old London Bridge needed to be replaced.
The Purchase
In 1968, Robert P. McCulloch, an American entrepreneur who made his fortune manufacturing chainsaws, purchased the old London Bridge for $2.5 million dollars.
At first glance, this may seem like an odd purchase for someone like McCulloch. However, he had a grand plan for the bridge: he wanted to transport it to Lake Havasu City in Arizona and rebuild it there.
The Transport
Transporting a bridge across an ocean is no easy feat. McCulloch knew this and enlisted the help of engineer John Rennie (the great-great-grandson of John Rennie who designed the original bridge). Rennie oversaw the dismantling of the old London Bridge and its transportation across the Atlantic Ocean.
Once it arrived in Arizona, workers began rebuilding it piece by piece. It took three years to complete the reconstruction, but in 1971, the old London Bridge was once again open to the public.
Why Arizona?
So why did McCulloch choose Lake Havasu City in Arizona as the location for the old London Bridge?
Well, McCulloch had purchased a large piece of land in Lake Havasu City and was looking for ways to attract tourists to the area. He believed that the old London Bridge would be a major draw and could help put Lake Havasu City on the map.
He was right. Today, over 50 years later, the old London Bridge is still a major tourist attraction in Arizona. Visitors come from all over the world to see this iconic piece of history and marvel at how it ended up so far from its original home.
Conclusion
The story of how the old London Bridge ended up in Arizona is an intriguing one. From its construction in 1831 to its purchase by Robert P. McCulloch and subsequent transport across an ocean, this bridge has certainly had an interesting life.
Today, it remains a testament to human ingenuity and determination. And who knows? Maybe one day it will find itself transported once again to a new location where it can continue to inspire and captivate visitors from all over the world.