In 1831, London Bridge was constructed over the River Thames in London, England. It was a symbol of the city’s growth and prosperity at the time, as it connected the northern and southern parts of the city. However, after more than a century of use, the bridge began to deteriorate and needed to be replaced.
In 1967, an American entrepreneur named Robert P. McCulloch purchased the bridge for $2.46 million dollars. Many people were puzzled by his decision to buy an old bridge from England and transport it across the Atlantic Ocean to Lake Havasu City, Arizona – a small desert town that had only been established a few years earlier.
McCulloch saw an opportunity to create a tourist attraction in Lake Havasu City by bringing London Bridge over. He believed that people would be drawn to see this famous landmark in the middle of the desert.
The process of moving London Bridge was not an easy one. It took three years to dismantle the bridge into 10,000 pieces and ship them across the ocean. Once it arrived in Arizona, it took another three years to reassemble it.
Despite some initial skepticism about whether people would actually come to see London Bridge in Arizona, McCulloch’s vision proved successful. Today, millions of tourists visit Lake Havasu City every year to see London Bridge and enjoy other attractions such as boating on Lake Havasu.
The move of London Bridge also had some unexpected benefits for both England and Arizona. In order to fund their new bridge construction project, England sold off their old bridge which created a valuable source of revenue for their government. Meanwhile, Lake Havasu City continues to thrive as a popular tourist destination thanks in part to London Bridge.
In conclusion, while some may still wonder why anyone would go through such trouble to transport an old bridge across an ocean and into the middle of a desert town – there is no denying that Robert P. McCulloch’s vision has been successful. The move of London Bridge has become a symbol of the power of entrepreneurship and the potential for unexpected opportunities to arise when we think outside the box.