The grandson of the American who bought London Bridge has returned to the scene of his grandfather’s most famous purchase – and quashed one of London’s most enduring myths.
Michael McCulloch was nine years old when his elementary school headmaster broke the news that his grandfather, Robert McCulloch, had bought the Victorian bridge and would rebuild it
in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
Today, Mr McCulloch visited the new London Bridge which replaced it, along with mayor of Lake Havasu City Cal Sheehy, who was in town to receive the Freedom of the City of London.
The bridge visit, organised by bridge owner City Bridge Foundation, gave Mr McCulloch – himself a proud Freeman of the City since 2015 – the chance to once and for all kill off the old
story that his grandad thought he was buying Tower Bridge.
“It’s not true at all,” he said. “My grandfather knew exactly what he was buying, but the stories kept coming up and kept providing free press and encouraging people to visit Lake Havasu
and the bridge, so he never corrected it.
“It is something that keeps coming back – maybe it’s because the British feel they were duped into giving up a treasured item and the story makes them feel like they didn’t give up that
much after all!
“The story and the bridge have played a huge role in my life and the life of my family and being in London standing on the bridge I feel very proud. I feel a real connection with the
place and whenever anyone asks me my favourite city, I always say London.”
The bridge Robert McCulloch bought was the second stone London Bridge, built around 100ft upstream from the mediaeval bridge, crowded for centuries with houses and shops.
The modern-day concrete bridge which replaced it was opened by the Queen in March 1973 and is one of five bridges looked after by ancient charity City Bridge Foundation.
Giles Shilson, City Bridge Foundation chairman, said: “The story about the sale of London Bridge is not only part of our charity’s 900-year history but is an enduring piece of London
folklore.
“We were thrilled to be able to show Michael the bridge that replaced the one his grandfather bought, to give him the chance to set the record straight once and for all, and to strengthen
our long-standing links with the mayor and Lake Havasu City.”
Mayor Sheehy has been at the helm in the city, created in the desert from nothing by Robert McCulloch, since 2018, and says the bridge played a crucial role in its development as a place
to live and Arizona’s second biggest tourist attraction.
He said: “Before London Bridge, Lake Havasu City was barren desert, and the bridge has played a really significant role in the development of the city as a tourist destination and a
place to live.
“The bridge really unites our two cities and to be able to stand here on the new London Bridge, where it all began, and to connect with that history and heritage is an amazing feeling.”
Mr Sheehy was awarded the Freedom of the City by the City of London Corporation – the Square Mile’s governing body and sole trustee of City Bridge Foundation.
