HISTORIC ATTRACTIONS / LONDON BRIDGE

The World’s Largest Antique

The Statue of Liberty may have been a gift from France, but few if any American cities can claim a monument to European history that rivals London Bridge in Lake Havasu City in Arizona. In the 1960s as London Bridge was “falling down” and sinking into the Thames, the London government decided to auction the 130-old structure and build a new model. Robert P. McCulloch, founder of Lake Havasu City, submitted the winning bid for $2,460,000 in 1968. However, he had to invest another $7 million to move the bridge to Lake Havasu City over a three-year period.

Amazingly enough, the construction of the new bridge over the River Thames in England was synchronized with the dismantling of the old London Bridge. The transition was so carefully planned and artfully managed that London never lost a single day of open traffic. Dedication of the reconstructed London Bridge in Lake Havasu City occurred on October 10, 1971. Many British and Arizona officials participated in this exciting event along with 50,000 spectators.

Today, a quaint English Village joins the bridge as one of Arizona’s most unique attractions. Within this charming village are wonderful shops, fine boutiques, cozy restaurants, and lively nightspots. For more information on London Bridge, contact:

Lake Havasu City Convention & Visitors Bureau
314 London Bridge Road
Lake Havasu City 928-453-3444
www.golakehavasu.com