London Bridge

At first glance, London Bridge looks as though a piece of nineteenth-century England has been dropped into the Arizona desert. That is close to the truth, but it is not the whole story.

The bridge visitors see today combines original granite from John Rennie’s London Bridge, which opened across the Thames in 1831, with a five-span reinforced concrete structure completed in Arizona in 1971. It is both a historic survivor and a carefully planned reconstruction.

What is London Bridge in Lake Havasu City?

London Bridge carries McCulloch Boulevard across Bridgewater Channel. The official history of London Bridge in Lake Havasu City records it as approximately 930 feet long, connecting mainland Lake Havasu City with the area known as the Island.

Cars still travel across it, while pedestrians and cyclists can use it as part of the waterfront route. It remains a working bridge rather than a monument preserved behind barriers.

How London Bridge moved from London to Arizona

Scottish engineer John Rennie designed the bridge that opened across the River Thames on August 1, 1831. Rennie died before construction began, so his son oversaw the posthumous completion of London Bridge.

The bridge carried traffic in and out of London for more than a century. Despite being widened, it eventually became unsuitable for the demands of the growing city. It was replaced by the present concrete and steel London Bridge, which opened to traffic in March 1973.

American businessman Robert P. McCulloch bought the historic bridge for $2.46 million in 1968. According to the official account of how London Bridge reached Lake Havasu City, McCulloch believed the landmark would attract attention, visitors and potential residents to the new Arizona community he was developing.

The often repeated claim that McCulloch thought he was buying Tower Bridge is not true. Both the buyer and the people responsible for the sale knew which London bridge was being purchased.

Which parts of London Bridge were moved to Arizona?

The complete internal structure was not transported to Arizona. Instead, 10,276 exterior granite blocks were numbered before removal so they could be returned to their correct relative positions.

The stone traveled by sea through the Panama Canal to Long Beach, California. From there, it continued by road to Lake Havasu City.

Construction crews then built a new five-span reinforced concrete bridge on dry land and applied the historic stone as its outer facing. This preserved the appearance of Rennie’s bridge while creating a structure capable of carrying modern traffic.

How was London Bridge built on dry land?

One of the strangest details of the reconstruction is that the bridge was completed before there was any water beneath it.

Crews built the new concrete structure on dry ground. Once the bridge was finished, the land beneath it was excavated to create Bridgewater Channel. This separated the land beyond the bridge from the mainland and formed the Island.

The official Lake Havasu City history of the bridge and channel records that London Bridge was formally dedicated on October 10, 1971. More than 50,000 American and British spectators and dignitaries attended the ceremony.

When did London Bridge open in Arizona?

London Bridge was formally dedicated in Lake Havasu City on October 10, 1971. Its historic stonework had first formed part of the bridge that opened across the River Thames in 1831.

This means London Bridge has two important opening dates. One marks the beginning of the bridge’s life in London. The other marks the beginning of its second life in Arizona.

Both dates belong in its history because the original stonework and the present supporting structure come from two different periods.

What can you see at London Bridge in Lake Havasu City?

The five-arch form and granite facing provide the clearest connection to the bridge that once crossed the Thames.

At close range, the historic stonework feels formal and unmistakably European. Step back and the surroundings completely change its character, with palm trees, desert hills and bright Arizona skies framing the arches.

The bridge also demonstrates how a historic structure can survive without remaining exactly as it was. Its original material and familiar profile preserve much of its identity, while the modern structure beneath the stone keeps it useful.

How can you visit London Bridge in Lake Havasu City?

Visitors can cross London Bridge by car, bicycle or on foot. Paths beside Bridgewater Channel provide wider views of the arches and waterfront, while the bridge itself offers views toward the lake and the Island.

The nearby English Village beside London Bridge was developed to welcome visitors and support the community growing around the attraction.

London Bridge is no longer in London, and it is not entirely the same structure that crossed the Thames. Even so, its historic granite, familiar profile and remarkable journey make it one of the most unusual bridges in the United States.