As crazy as that sounds, it’s also true. The bridge was originally built in the 1830s to span the River Thames that cuts through London in England. In 1968 the bridge was purchased by Robert P. McCulloch from the City of London, dismembered, and shipped off to Arizona where he reassembled it.
Why did London give 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.
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.
How did London Bridge end up in Arizona?
By 1971, it was reborn in a new planned community of 8,000 peoplein Arizona. Robert McCulloch, founder of the Lake Havasu City, won the old bridge with a $2,460,000 bid at the City of London’s auction in 1968. McCulloch then spent another $7 million to have it moved to the community he established in 1964.
What is the history of London Bridge?
Early History of The London Bridge
The “Old” London Bridge of nursery rhyme fame was a stone bridge built by Peter of Colechurch, an architect and priest, between 1176 and 1209. It replaced various wooden bridges built by the Roman founders of London from AD 50–1176.
What’s special about London Bridge?
Why is Tower Bridge Famous? Tower Bridge is famous because it’s London’s most striking bridge thanks to its Neo-Gothic architecture and lifting central sections. When it opened, it was the most sophisticated bascule bridge in the world.
Who paid for the London Bridge to Arizona?
Robert P. McCulloch
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.
Why did they put heads on London Bridge?
But this feature has a great deal of historical significance as it commemorates a dark period of over 300 years when alleged traitors’ heads were put on spikes for all to see. Their presence served as a warning to anyone thinking of challenging the Crown.
What happened to the heads on London Bridge?
In 1598 a German visitor to London called Paul Hentzner counted over 30 heads on iron spikes at the south end of the bridge. Once put on the spike on one of the gates at the ends of London Bridge, they were left to the elements to rot and eventually fell in the Thames.
Who brought London Bridge down?
A skaldic tradition describes the bridge’s destruction in 1014 by Æthelred’s ally Olaf, to divide the Danish forces who held both the walled City of London and Southwark.
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.
What was the biggest problem with old London Bridge?
At almost 600 years old, it was increasingly tough to maintain. Its narrow arches were a major hinderance to river traffic. The whole edifice was removed and replaced between 1824 and 1831.
What was found on London Bridge?
Museum of London Archeology (MOLA) found the incredibly well-preserved decorative mosaic — which they believe was once part of a Roman dining room floor — while excavating the site of new housing/retail development, The Liberty of Southwark near London Bridge.
What does London Bridge has fallen mean?
“London Bridge is down” is reportedly the way in which the death of the Queen would have been communicated to the Prime Minister, Liz Truss, by the Queen’s Private Secretary.
Was the original London Bridge moved to Arizona?
It was discovered, while dismantling the bridge, that there were code numbers on each stone when it was originally built. The bridge was shipped by boat 10,000 miles to Long Beach, California. It was then trucked to Lake Havasu City.
What are 5 facts about London?
20 Interesting History Facts About London
- Over 300 languages are spoken in London.
- It is not illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament.
- Police never caught Jack the Ripper.
- The Great Plague killed a third of Europe’s population.
- The Tower of London houses six ravens.
- The London Underground could have been water-based.
How long did it take to move the London Bridge to Arizona?
three years
All told, the shipping, assembly and dredging took over three years and cost some $7 million—seven times as much as McCulloch had spent on the land that made up Lake Havasu City.
Why did we sell London Bridge to America?
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.
Who controls London Bridge?
One more thought… Visit Tower Bridge and you will learn that the Bridge is owned by the Bridge Houses Estates, a charity established by Royal Charter in 1282 by the City of London Corporation.
Why do people put heads on pikes?
This has been a custom in a number of cultures, typically either as part of a criminal penalty following execution or as a war trophy following a violent conflict. The symbolic value may change over time. It may give a warning to spectators. The head may be a human head or an animal head.
Can you walk across London Bridge?
You can walk across the bridge if you want to, or continue your London Bridge walk by turning around and walking south down Borough High Street. As you walk down Borough High Street, you’ll see Southwark Cathedral on your right.