When you hear the words London Bridge you most likely either think of the childhood song about the bridges that fall down or you think of London, England. Both of these things do have relevance to this London Bridge, even though the bridge we are talking about is located in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Confused?
Here’s a little history to help explain. Back in 1962, the London Bridge was falling down. It had been built in 1831, and it could no longer handle the traffic flow across the Thames River in England. The British government, at that point, decided to put the bridge up for sale. Robert McCulloch, the founder of Lake Havasu City and chairman of McCulloch Oil Corporation, bought the bridge for a price of $2,460,000.
After McCulloch bought the bridge, it was dismantled with all of its stones numbered. Every piece was shipped to California before getting trucked over to Lake Havasu City. It was reconstructed in 1968 and a ceremony soon followed.
London Bridge current crosses a boating channel that connects with Thompson Bay on the Arizona side of Lake Havasu. Currently, it is the second biggest tourist attraction for Arizona. The only attraction bigger is the Grand Canyon.
If you want to take pictures at the London Bridge, there is a known best spot to take them. After you cross over Arizona Highway 95, begin looking for a small parking lot to your left. This will be before you come to the actual London Bridge. It is fairly close to the London Bridge Resort. After turning into the small parking lot, you can walk along the lower edge of the bridge.
And if you continue walking west under the bridge, you will soon see a concrete ramp which will lead you to the London Bridge visitor’s center. There you will find historical photos and information about the bridge and other attractions and points of interest in Lake Havasu City.
While you are in Lake Havasu City visiting the famous London Bridge, be sure to check out Lake Havasu itself. Lake Havasu is the perfect place to get a jet ski rental in Arizona. You can ride on a jet ski by yourself or with several others as they hold up to three adults. A boat rental at Bullhead City is the perfect way to cool off in the water on a hot afternoon!
Lake Havasu City offers tourists a great deal to see including the London Bridge and Lake Havasu. Also nearby are excellent places to eat, golf, shop, take tours, and more. Try your hand at a variety of water activities at Lake Havasu and be sure to take some great pictures of the bridge!
