Unfortunately, by the early 19th century the bridge was showing serious signs of wear and tear. Although the buildings that had once adorned its top had long been demolished, the crossing was still far too narrow and the arches that supported the bridge were a serious hindrance for ships passing underneath.
Why did the original London Bridge collapse?
It's thought that at least 3,000 people died. As if that wasn't enough, parts of the bridge collapsed on several occasions, including 1281, 1309, 1425 and 1437. The 1281 collapse happened when expanding ice from the frozen Thames literally crushed five of the arches.
Why was the old London Bridge removed?
What happened to Old London Bridge today?
Between 1968 and 1971 its facing stone was dismantled and shipped across the Atlantic Ocean to the U.S. state of Arizona, where it was reerected on a five-span core of reinforced concrete to serve as a tourist attraction at the resort town of Lake Havasu City.
Why did the London Bridge get moved?
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.
Where is the original London Bridge now located?
LondonCity of LondonSouthwarkCentral LondonSE postcode areaLondon Bridge/Location