Five Fascinating Facts About London Bridge
- It's not Tower Bridge. London Bridge is the utilitarian span near the Tower; Tower Bridge is the iconic bascule bridge 1 km downstream.
- It's "fallen down" repeatedly. First bridge ~5th century; destroyed by flood, fire (1136, 1212, 1633, 1703 storm), rebuilt each time. Nursery rhyme reflects real history.
- It was a toll bridge for 541 years. 1209–1750; tolls funded maintenance. Westminster Bridge's free crossing ended the franchise.
- It once had a high street on it. 1200s–1761: shops, houses (up to 7 stories) lined the 26-ft roadway. Fire of London (1666) stopped at the bridge; the 1703 storm cleared many.
- The 1831 stone bridge was sold & moved to Arizona. Deemed unsafe; dismantled 1967–71; reconstructed at Lake Havasu City. The current bridge (1973) is a concrete box girder.
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