LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. — Towering over Lake Havasu is one of Arizona’s most visited tourist attractions, the London Bridge. It is not the current London Bridge standing in England, it's the one built in 1831.
If you are wondering why it's the centerpiece of Lake Havasu City, the answers lie with Captain Kenny of Sunset Charter & Tours.
“In 1971, our founding father of Lake Havasu City, Robert McCulloch, purchased the London Bridge and re-located it here to Lake Havasu City to be the centerpiece of his master plan community,” said Kenny.
Instead of demolishing the bridge, London sold it to engine maker and chainsaw mogul Robert McCulloch. He dismantled it and reassembled it so people could drive to his manmade island.
“They built the bridge on dry land, then excavated under the bridge to let the lake water flow right in,” said Kenny.
Lake Havasu has been dubbed the boating capital of the southwest. The lake is shared by Southern California and Arizona, and brings in thousands of boaters during spring break. The boating culture is often portrayed in movies like the aquatic horror film Piranha 3D, and the jet ski racing comedy Hot Water, which pokes fun at accidents on the water throughout the movie.
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To prevent accidents or getting lost at night, you’ll find miniature lighthouses all along the lakeshore. Bruce Howe is the former president of the Lake Havasu Lighthouse Club. These ornate structures are not just beacons but artistic replicas of famous lighthouses from all over the nation.
“There’s 28 around the lake,” said Howe. “For the last 12 years they’ve been built in my garage.”
The lighthouses are a big part of chartered boat tours and have become just as iconic as London Bridge. In fact, one of the newest replica lighthouses, the Angels Gate Lighthouse in Los Angeles Harbor, pays homage to London Bridge.
“All the ships that carried the London Bridge had to pass by this lighthouse,” said Howe.
Lake Havasu was built to dam the Colorado River and send water to Los Angeles. Today, the reservoir provides much more than water delivery, it gives life to desert communities and an old bridge - an old bridge with a yet another special distinction.
“London Bridge holds the record for being the largest antique ever sold,” said Kenny.
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