The London Bridge is the greatest thing that ever happened to Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Robert McCulloch, whose name you may recognize from McCulloch Chain Saw fame, bought it for $2.4 million, then flew it from England piece by piece and reassembled it in 1971 over a lagoon he carved right alongside Lake Havasu.The town was a speck in the desert back then. McCulloch figured the bridge would be such a novelty that people would come to see it. He was right -- they came in droves, making it one of Arizona's most popular tourist attractions.
BETTING THE TOWN WOULD GROW like asparagus, McCulloch bought up gobs of land, and when tourists came to see the bridge, some decided to stay. They bought the land and built houses. In the dry desert, McCulloch was swimming in Green.
When the bridge was erected, so was a small English village at its eastern edge. Many tourists shops moved in, plus restaurants and even a hotel. For awhile, it was a beehive of activity.
But when I last visited a few years ago, the English village looked sick. Half the shops were gone. There were few tourists. And then, a week ago when I stopped again, it was worse: only a few shops remained. The only English-themed gift shop offered tee-shirts and uninspired trinkets. I wondered how long it would stay open.
I hope the city does something to get businesses back to the village again. It seems silly to me that hasn't already happened.
If you visit, camp at Lake Havasu State Park, which is a short walk from the bridge and downtown Lake Havasu City. All size RVs can be accommodated. . . Read a story about Lake Havasu City that I wrote back when the English village was looking good.
We were last there New year's Eve 1999..It still looked good, we thought. Shame it's going to pot but glad to know--won't go back.
ReplyDeleteThat is so disappointing to hear. We just bought an RV this past summer, and since my husband is British, I was planning on taking him there when we went through the area (we're in Southern California). The last time I was there was in 1991, and they had cute shops with toleware, foodstuffs, and other authentic British items.
ReplyDeleteGee, I'm sorry to read this. I haven't been there yet ,but was wanting to go 1 of these days. Maybe by then Lake Havasu City will be up and running again.
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