Businessman Robert P. McCulloch’s.
50 Years Ago, an American Moved the London Bridge to Arizona Businessman Robert P. McCulloch’s ventures ranged from oil exploration to manufacturing chain saws, and he once tried to market a two-man gyroplane, a cross between a helicopter and a small airplane.
Who brought London Bridge to AZ?
Robert P. McCulloch
London Bridge is a bridge in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. It was originally built in the 1830s and formerly spanned the River Thames in London, England. In 1968, the bridge was purchased from the City of London by Robert P. McCulloch.
Where did they move the original London Bridge?
Lake Havasu City, Arizona
In 1968, an American tycoon bought London Bridge—all 10,000 tons of it—and moved it brick-by-brick to the desert town of Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
Why did they move the London Bridge to Arizona?
Moving the original London Bridge to Arizona was a scheme to make a small town in Arizona a tourist attraction. Businessman Robert P. McCulloch’s ventures ranged from oil exploration to manufacturing chain saws, and he once tried to market a two-man gyroplane, a cross between a helicopter and a small airplane.
How did they ship the London Bridge to Arizona?
How did it get to Arizona? The disassembled bridge was put on a cargo ship and sailed through the Panama Canal to Long Beach, California. From there, it was trucked to Lake Havasu City. It was reassembled, piece by piece, and opened in October 1971.
Which London Bridge was sold to America?
45 years ago today, London Bridge was sold to American oil tycoon Robert P McCulloch for a cool $2,460,000. The landmark was subsequently dismantled and shipped over to Lake Havasu in Arizona, where it was reassembled and still stands today.
What happened to the original London Bridge?
Between 1968 and 1971 its facing stone was dismantled and shipped across the Atlantic Ocean to the U.S. state of Arizona, where it was reerected on a five-span core of reinforced concrete to serve as a tourist attraction at the resort town of Lake Havasu City.
What is the story behind the London Bridge in Lake Havasu?
When dismantled in London, England, each stone of the London Bridge was numbered for reassembly in Lake Havasu City. The bridge was shipped overseas to the Port of Long Beach, California and then transported overland to Lake Havasu City, where reassembly began in 1968.
Did Vikings bring London Bridge down?
Many have wondered throughout the years if the famous London Bridge nursery rhyme was based on the Viking attack. However, the nursery rhyme has no confirmed origin. In fact, historians debate whether Vikings actually even destroyed the bridge.
Who Moved London Bridge to Lake Havasu?
Robert McCulloch
Robert McCulloch a Lake Havasu businessman learned that the British Government was putting the bridge up for sale. He submitted the winning bid of $2,460,000. Plans were made to move and reconstruct the bridge in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
Who brought the London Bridge to Lake Havasu?
In 1967, the City of London was looking for someone to buy the defunct and dismantled bridge. Oddly enough, McCulloch had a hunch that this iconic piece of British history would drive growth in Lake Havasu City. McCulloch placed the winning bid of $2.4 million on April 18, 1968 (over $17 million in today’s dollars).
What is the oldest bridge in the world?
The bridge at Tello was built in the third millennium BC, making it the oldest bridge still in existence.
Did England sell London Bridge to America?
The winning bid came from Robert P. McCulloch, American entrepreneur and chairman of McCulloch Oil Company. McCulloch paid $2,460,000—plus shipping costs of around $240,000—to bring the bridge over, piece by piece.
What stopped the Vikings from invading England?
In Viking times, a king had to be strong to fight and keep his land. Ethelred the Unready was thought of as a weak king of England in the 11th century. Ethelred gave the Vikings gold and land to stop them invading.
Who defeated the Vikings in England?
At the battle of Ashdown in 871, Alfred routed the Viking army in a fiercely fought uphill assault.
Did King Edmund get captured by Vikings?
Born on Christmas Day 841 AD, Edmund succeeded to the throne of East Anglia in 856. Brought up as a Christian, he fought alongside King Alfred of Wessex against the pagan Viking and Norse invaders (the Great Heathen Army) until 869/70 when his forces were defeated and Edmund was captured by the Vikings.
Who took down London bridges?
But there was one major problem: London Bridge. Danes lined the bridge ready to attack any oncoming ships with spears. So Olaf Haraldsson, who became King of Norway in 1015, joined up with Ethelred in the attack (there’s some evidence the Norwegian was acting as a mercenary).
Is Lake Havasu a natural lake?
Lake Havasu was formed by the construction of the Parker Dam from 1934-1938. The reservoir created nearly 450 miles of shoreline and was filled to its capacity of 211 billion gallons of water in 1940-1942.
Why was London Bridge sold to USA?
The bridge was sinking, and needed urgent attention. Rebuilding was deemed preferable to repairing So, on 18 April 1968 the old bridge was sold and history was made.
What is the story behind the London Bridge in Lake Havasu?
When dismantled in London, England, each stone of the London Bridge was numbered for reassembly in Lake Havasu City. The bridge was shipped overseas to the Port of Long Beach, California and then transported overland to Lake Havasu City, where reassembly began in 1968.