RasmaSandra
There is the children’s rhyme about London Bridge falling down. Well in the mid-20th century the bridge was in really bad shape and could have fallen down. The weight of cars going over it was beginning to push the bridge down into the Thames River. So in 1968, the bridge was being auctioned off to make room for a new bridge.
It was a man from Arizona named Robert McCulloch who made the winning bid. He was the creator of the resort community Lake Havasu City. By reconstruction of the London Bridge in Arizona, he figured it would draw in more tourists. So he paid $2.46 million and the bridge was disassembled and the stones numbered.
All of the pieces were shipped and the voyage went through the Panama Canal on its way to California. When the ship arrived at the Port of Long Beach the rest of the way was by truck to Arizona where it was reconstructed. The bridge was completed in 1971. So if you have a chance to visit Lake Havasu City you can see the London Bridge.
This is an amazing story. I hear for the first time about selling the bridge.
best part is that the bridge is no longer falling down!
it is funny to think about the grand London Bridge is now in Arizona!
What is even more interesting Doc is that if this was supposed to promote tourism why have many never heard about this. Perhaps the bridge needed to be built in a more popular place in Arizona.
Lake Havasu is a destination for those who live in Arizona. I often wonder if they don’t keep it to themselves on purpose!
Interesting post, enjoyed reading it. I hope he got his moneys worth and more.
Very interesting information about this bridge, dear friend
Another interesting post. There’s always a lot to learn in your articles, thank you!
Very interesting information here to share with us
The “London Bridge” really did collapse in Australia, never to arise again.
“London Bridge on the Great Ocean Road, Victoria, Australia
Before 1990, London Bridge was exactly that – a bridge that connected the arch of land to the mainland. It got its name from its likeness to its namesake, before being later known as the London Arch. All due to its massive structure collapse on the 15th of January 1990, with part of the bridge collapsing into the ocean. Leaving behind a chunk of land isolated in the ocean. However, it didn’t just leave the land isolated though, but tragically leave two tourists stranded. Kelli Harrison and David Darrington were sightseeing at the time, and were suddenly cut off from the mainland, having to wait hours before they could be rescued by a helicopter. There are other rumours surrounding this story, with some people saying that the couple were actually conducting an affair and the newsworthy story blew their cover, but it has yet to be confirmed.
The collapse of the London Bridge highlights the everchanging structure of this coast. With the rocky sandstone cliff shoreline slowly crumbling and shifting in structure due to the continuous erosion of weather and sea. Transforming the region into a new sight every century or so.”
taken from: https://greatoceanroadmelbournetours.com.au/attractions/london-bridge/
Thank you for the information that is very interesting and I had no idea there was a London Bridge in Australia,
Interesting piece of information Sandra. I will never get to the US again, sadly.