If you dream of visiting the UK, there is actually part of that dream here in Arizona. Whether you’ve been to Lake Havasu or not, you’re probably familiar with London Bridge. It became world famous for centuries as the subject of the famous nursery rhyme “London Bridge Falls”. We tell the story of the London Bridge on Lake Havasu, built in London, dismantled and finally transported to Arizona.
Located on Lake Havasu, the world-famous London Bridge from the nursery rhyme legend is a highlight here. And how it got here is a very interesting story.
First, let’s talk about how Lake Havasu City was born. Back in the 1960s, entrepreneur Robert P. McCulloch Sr. purchased 26 acres of land in the Arizona Lake Havasu desert. At that time there was really nothing there.
He wanted to attract people to the area and create a resort town that tourists would want to visit, so he also sold residential land. But he needed a way to get people here.
London Bridge once stood on the banks of the River Thames in London. Originally built by him in the 1830s, the bridge suffered from ongoing structural problems. After decades of disrepair, the city decided to tear it down and sell it.
McCulloch happened to be in London when the bridge was on sale and bought it for $2.46 million. He then trucked his 10,600 pieces of granite used for bridges across the Atlantic Ocean through the Panama Canal to the Arizona desert.
A reconstruction of the London Bridge in the Mojave Desert was completed in 1971, spanning the shores of Pittsburgh Point and Lake Havasu City mainland.
The Bridgewater Navigation Canal was eventually built under the bridge, leading straight to the lake. Interestingly, this bridge was built before the river was formed.
When you come to Lake Havasu, you’ll see the American flag, the Arizona flag and the Union Jack flag, representing its ties to Britain. What a fun and fascinating piece of Arizona history.
Today, tourists from all over the world come to Lake Havasu City just to see this bridge.
Do you know the history of London Bridge on Lake Havasu? Do you have anything to add? Please let us know in the comments! If you want to know more about London Bridge, please visit: Go to the Lake Havasu website.
There are many interesting facts and fascinating history to learn about the Grand Canyon State. Check out our other articles on Arizona history.
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address: 1340 McCulloch Blvd, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403, USA
