Population 25,400
   Elevation 482 Feet

Lake Havasu City takes its name from the Lake on its banks which was created in 1938 by the construction of Parker Dam. Lake Havasu is fed by the Colorado River. The 45 mile lake has a maximum width of 3 miles and supplies water to Arizona, Los Angeles and other cities.

Originally an Army Air Corps landing strip and rest camp, industrialist Robert P. McCulloch, purchased the land in 1963 and turned it into a planned recreational and retirement community.

The town captured the world's attention in 1968 when McCulloch bought the London Bridge. Originally built in 1831 by architect John Rennie, the multi-arch bridge resided over the Thames River until 1962, when it began to sink into the river. Dismantled stone by stone, the bridge was brought over from London and reconstructed over a man-made inlet on the Colorado River. Lake Havasu City Celebrates the bridge's October 10, 1971, dedication each year during London Bridge Days in early October.

Lake Havasu provides a setting for all types of water sports. The London Bridge is the center for boat tours of Lake Havasu and nearby Topock Gorge. Fishing is excellent, for striped and large mouth bass, bluegill and crappie.

We have over 1000 business establishments including super markets, drug stores, men's, women's, and children's clothing shops, gift shops, hardware, antique shops, travel services, 1224 room accommodations (this includes short-term furnished rentals) and many excellent restaurants. Lake Havasu City offers the best shopping and recreation within a 200 mile radius. Regional hospitals, 30 doctors, three fire stations, 25 churches, two local newspapers, three local AM & FM radio stations, television relayed locally. We also have five elementary schools, one junior high school, and one high school, and a community college.

Recreation is abundant in Lake Havasu. We have modern tennis and racquetball courts, 3 beautiful 18-hold golf courses, a large marina, good fishing, water skiing, and well cared for campgrounds. SARA Park has recently been opened for various activities such as skeet shooting, motorcycle racing, and day camping. There are also 3 lovely beaches equipped with barbecues and picnic tables for your family enjoyment.

Mr. McCulloch passed away February 25, 1977. Lake Havasu was incorporated in 1978.

The population of Lake Havasu City at the end of 1975 was 15,500. Lake Havasu was formed when Parker Dam was completed in 1938. It was 482 feet above sea level. The average rainfall is 5.0 inches. Winter temperatures range from a low of 40 to a high of 80 degrees.

It was the water that brought Robert P. McCulloch, Sr. to Lake Havasu. He was flying over the Southwest looking for a motor testing site. He spotted the abandoned Army Air Corps landing strip and rest camp which were here after World War II. He purchased this land and set up his testing station, which is known as Site Six.

At the time, there were no houses here. Mr. McCulloch built a 100 unit mobile home park to house the workers. The Best Western and the nautical Inn were the first motels. There was no post office, no radio, or even TV. Gradually, businesses came and homes were built.

When the London Bridge was put up for sale, Mr. McCulloch thought Lake Havasu would be an ideal place for it. He put the winning bid, which was $2,460,000. How was this figure arrived at? The first question was how much it would cost London to cut the granite so it could be used again.

The figure McCulloch and C.V. Wood, Jr. came up with was $1,200,000 and McCulloch and C.V. Wood, Jr. doubled that. Since McCulloch and Wood, thought someone else might figure the same way, they added $60,000. The reason for this figure was that Mr. McCulloch would be 60 years old when the bridge was dedicated.

So, McCulloch and Wood added this amount, making the total $1,460,000. The foundation stone was laid in 1969, and the Bridge was completed and dedicated on October 10, 1971.