How the Original 1831 London Bridge Crossed the Atlantic to Become a Lake Havasu, Arizona Attraction

In 1967, the Common Council of the City of London decided to replace the London Bridge that was built in 1831 that crossed the River Thames, with a newer, wider version that would be more friendly to automobiles. So they put the old one up for sale. In 1968, American businessman Robert P. McCulloch placed the winning bid of $2,460,000. McCulloch was building a planned community in Lake Havasu, Arizona, and believed that this bridge would be an irresistible attraction. So the bridge was painstakingly disassembled on one side of the Atlantic Ocean and then carefully reassembled in the southwestern desert of the United States. The bridge and accompanying canal was completed in 1971 and subsequently became the attraction McCulloch had originally envisioned.

US businessman Robert P McCulloch bought London Bridge 50 years ago and moved it to the desert in Arizona. But why did he do it and what happened? The amazing story of how a Victorian bridge from London was shipped across the world and rebuilt in America.

The former 1831 London Bridge in modern day Lake Havasu, Arizona

 

 
 
 
 
 
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Its History also explains the move across the Pond.

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.

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