Lake Havasu London Bridge Photo Essay — Images by kenne
(Click on any of the tiled images for larger view in a slideshow format.)
Joy recalls the first time she saw the London Bridge at Lake Havasu City; it was on dry land. This famous bridge, built in the 1830’s, had been carefully dismantled from its original place across the River Thames in 1967 and purchased by Robert P. McCulloch, who began development of Lake Havasu City in 1964. The planned community was not getting much attention, so a business partner suggested buying the London Bridge and shipping it to Arizona.
Construction of the bridge began in 1968 on land between Lake Havasu City and Pittsburgh Point, at that time a peninsula jutting into Lake Havasu. Once bridge project was completed, the Bridgewater Channel was dredged under the bridge and flooded, creating an island separate from the city.
Last week we decided to get away from Tucson’s heat by going to an even hotter location, Lake Havasu City located on the Colorado River about two hours south of Las Vegas. As luck would have it a cool front moved in making for a very pleasant short vacation (Vegas, Zion, and Bryce National Parks. We stayed in the London Bridge Resort while in Lake Havasu City, located next to the bridge along the Bridgewater Channel — a pleasant stay.
— kenne
Your post made me add this place on my list for a future trip to the region. Thanks!
I’ve been lucky enough to walk on this bridge. During our Dickens Victorian Village here, we tell students the story of the bridge being moved. We also tell how Charles Dickens very likely walked on this bridge and created some of his characters from the people he passed. It’s a thrilling piece of history to have in our country.