Numerous bridges called London Bridge have been built over the same section of the River Thames across the centuries. The Modern London Bridge replaced one that didn’t fall, but was actually sold, taken apart and reassembled 5,400 miles away.
Lake Havasu City in Arizona is home to the London Bridge that was originally built in the 19th century and stood in London for over a hundred years. The story of how it came to reside in Arizona is as much of a testament to what it means to repurpose a legacy as it is an illustration of how a monument can define the economy and culture for an entire area.
From 1st Century London to 20th Century Arizona
The London Bridge that now resides in Lake Havasu City was completed in 1831, but the Romans built the first London Bridge as part of their road-building programme. A series of Roman and medieval bridges were erected over the centuries, but by 1209 the famous Old London Bridge was built. This was the bridge that displayed the heads of traitors, including William Wallace, and survived the Great Fire of London. In 1799, a competition was opened to design a replacement for this bridge, and work on the new bridge was begun in 1824.
It served the city for decades, but had not been designed to deal with automobile traffic that came at the turn of the 20th century. By 1924 officials noticed that the bridge was sinking into the ground at an alarming rate, as the east side was significantly lower than the west side of the bridge. It was decided the bridge would have to be removed, so the city put it up for sale.
The winning bid came in from Lake Havasu City founder Robert P. McCulloch. In 1967 it was dismantled and meticulously reassembled after being shipped overseas and then trucked from California. Legend had it that McCulloch thought he was buying the more dynamic Tower Bridge, but in truth, he knew exactly what he was purchasing. The bridge was rededicated in 1971 and now links an island in the Colorado River with the main part of Lake Havasu City.
McCulloch purchased London Bridge to serve as a tourist attraction for Lake Havasu, and the interest and tourism it has generated is all a result of the experiences it has enabled for both residents and visitors.
Taking Viewers to Another Place and Time
Seeing displays like “City of London” under the palm trees and mountains of Arizona is an almost surreal experience, but there are numerous details and displays that can make you forget you’re in the desert of Arizona and not central London. Dragon statues mark the boundaries of the City of London, and replicas of those statues appear near the bridge. The Union Jack flag flies next to the American flag and a flag for the state of Arizona, but that’s hardly the only place you’ll see the Union Jack prominently displayed.
The history associated with London Bridge is showcased in various ways throughout the area and Lake Havasu Visitors Center, which is one of the many attractions situated near the bridge. At the Visitor Center, construction materials, documents and other items associated with the sale, transport and reconstruction of the bridge are on display. Outside, statues and plaques representing the city founders are located near the end of one side of the bridge.
The simple experience of walking around the bridge is unmatched though, as it not only takes viewers to another place, but to another time. This London Bridge has a history associated with the 19th century history of London, during which it grew enormously to become a global city of immense importance. Walking under, over and alongside the bridge provides viewers with a totally different perspective of that history, but also allows visitors to see Arizona history and even the surrounding environment in a whole new context.
The Visitor Center is just one of the attractions situated along the water and near the bridge, and these shops and businesses have all had a major impact on the economy of Lake Havasu City. However, London Bridge has come to have an even bigger impact on the culture of the whole area.
Defining the Economy and Culture of Lake Havasu City
Robert P. McCulloch bought London Bridge to serve as a tourist attraction for what was then a brand new city. After the bridge was reconstructed, prospective buyers of land were attracted to visit the bridge and take a tour of properties for sale. Land sales improved, and McCulloch recouped all his expenses on the purchase and shipping of the bridge.
The economic impact and opportunity associated with London Bridge can still be seen in large and small ways, with activities ranging from tours on the water to boat rentals to live shows that take place on a stage right under the bridge. Gift shops full of souvenirs as well as custom coins commemorate events and anniversaries for London Bridge. Some of these custom coins have also been incorporated into the many commemorative walks and plaques that are displayed throughout the area, showcasing where this economic impact crosses over with the culture of the city itself.
That crossover can also be seen in terms of how London Bridge is positioned as a centerpiece in advertisements and guides all over the area. Everything from city maps to rental apartments to hotels have incorporated London Bridge into them, showcasing how London Bridge has become irrevocably intertwined with the culture of the city. That relationship can be seen in a more direct way with the presence that the Allied Arts Council of Lake Havasu City has with London Bridge, and with the numerous events that take place on or near it.
These opportunities along with further developments that are taking place in the area of the bridge to increase tourist interest illustrate what it means for a monument to distincly shape and positively define an area.
The Power of Monuments
That a bridge built in London in the early 19th century now resides in Arizona is a testament to what can be achieved when the opportunity to create, or in this case relocate, a monument is recognized and acted upon. While the costs and logistics associated with moving London Bridge across the world are by no means insignificant, such details are secondary when it comes to the creation of the kind of legacy and identity that exists for Lake Havasu City.
London has numerous famous and popular attractions, and the fact that one of those attractions has been able to create such an impact on the culture and economy of Lake Havasu City is a testament to the power of such structures, regardless of how things change around them.
