London Bridge Sale Myth – The Truth Explained
Introduction
While not really a low, one of the most famous urban legends in British history is that an American businessman accidentally bought the “wrong” London Bridge, thinking it was Tower Bridge. While it makes for a great story, the truth is a little different and is just as fascinating.
What Does the Story Say?
According to the myth, US oil magnate Robert P. McCulloch thought he was buying the iconic Tower Bridge in the late 1960s, only to realise after purchase that he had bought the far plainer London Bridge. The tale has been repeated for decades as a humorous case of mistaken identity.
What Really Happened?
The real London Bridge was sold in 1968 for $2.46 million and carefully dismantled. Its granite blocks were shipped to Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where the bridge was reconstructed as a tourist attraction. McCulloch was fully aware it was not Tower Bridge. The “mix-up” story appears to have been invented later, possibly as a marketing gimmick.
Why Was It Sold?
By the 1960s, the 1831 London Bridge could no longer handle modern traffic and was sinking about an inch every eight years. The City of London decided to replace it, and the sale to McCulloch helped fund the new bridge we see today.