London Bridge in Lake Havasu, Arizona.
There were several bridges built over the same section of the Thames River in London. The Old London Bridge of nursery-rhyme fame was built between 1176 and 1209, replacing an earlier timber bridge. The bridge survived more than 600 years. Then this bridge was replaced by a new one in 1831. But as time passed, the new bridge began sinking at the rate of an inch every eight years. The bridge could not withstand the impact of 20th century automotive traffic. In 1967, the City Council of London placed the bridge on the market and began to look for potential buyers. On April 18, 1968, the winning big went to entrepreneur and Lake Havasu City founder Robert McCulloch for $2,460,000.
Dismantling the bridge in London. Each block was numbered so that reassembly was easier.
In Lake Havasu, the bridge was built with lighter hollow steel supports versus the granite that was used in England. It was built on dry land and then the channel from the Colorado River was dug after it was completed.
Below: the dedication ceremony and opening of the bridge on October 17, 1971.
Below: same tradition that are on the new bridge in London. Put the lock on and throw away the key. "Love Locks" placed there by couples to symbolize their unbreakable bond.
Below: took a boat ride down river from the bridge.
Several small light houses along the way that are replicas of famous light houses on the US East and West Coast.
Below: Copper Canyon. Before the dam was built and Lake Havasu flooded the area, there was a copper mine at the bottom of this canyon.
Village of London Shoppes by the bridge.
There was a VW camper rally going on in Lake Havasu when we were there. Hundreds of these were attending.
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