Which U.S. State Has the Original London Bridge? None—But Arizona Has the 1831 One
No U.S. state has the original medieval London Bridge. That bridge (c. 1209–1831, "Old London Bridge") was demolished in London. However, Arizona has the second London Bridge—the 1831 Rennie bridge.
The Three London Bridges
| Bridge | Dates | Fate |
|---|
| Old London Bridge (medieval, stone, 19 arches, houses/shops on it) | 1209–1831 | Demolished; stones reused in London; some fragments in parks, museums. |
| Rennie's London Bridge (granite, 5 arches, designed by John Rennie) | 1831–1968 | Sold 1968 → reconstructed at Lake Havasu City, Arizona (dedicated 1971). |
| Current London Bridge (concrete box girder) | 1973–present | Stands in London today. |
The Arizona Bridge
- Buyer: Robert P. McCulloch (McCulloch Oil, chainsaws), founder of Lake Havasu City.
- Price: $2.46M (bridge) + $7M (transport/reassembly).
- Process: Numbered, shipped via Panama Canal to Long Beach, trucked to Arizona, reassembled over reinforced concrete core (original stones = cladding).
- Span: 930 ft (283 m) across Bridgewater Channel (man-made canal).
- Status: Tourist icon; carries traffic; "London Bridge Resort" adjacent.
Common Confusion
- People often think Tower Bridge (the photogenic bascule bridge) is London Bridge. It's not.
- People think the Arizona bridge is the medieval one. It's the Victorian one.
Where Are the Original Stones?
- Some in London: Victoria Park (alcoves), Kew Gardens, St Magnus-the-Martyr churchyard.
- Some lost, some in private collections.
- No complete reconstruction exists anywhere.
Arizona has a London Bridge—just not the original one. It's a remarkable piece of transatlantic recycling.
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