The public is invited to a Jan. 11 Memorial Lighthouse dedication in Lake Havasu City, that will honor chainsaw mogul and engineering entrepreneurs Robert P. McCulloch and Cornelius Vanderbilt “CV” Wood.

The two men are credited as founders of Lake Havasu City and for relocating the famed London Bridge from England to Arizona. Other achievements include McCulloch’s aircraft designs and Wood’s early design involvement with Disneyland.

McCulloch and Wood family representatives agree, they would be proud of the success their vision of a city in the desert continues to achieve.

“Lake Havasu City has grown into a world-class destination that millions of visitors have enjoyed over the years. The vision of Robert McCulloch and the efforts of C.V. Wood live on today in Lake Havasu City. Residents and visitors alike enjoy the many attractions, iconic events, and natural scenic beauty Lake Havasu City offers,” Sheehy said.

Mohave County Economic Development and Tourism Director Tami Ursenbach said the impact of their vision for a vibrant community is evident today as Lake Havasu and surrounding communities offer businesses opportunity for development, relocation, and expansion.

Since the dedication of the London Bridge in 1971, the city has grown to over 55,000 residents with an additional 50,000 travelers calling this their favorite “Snowbird Destination.” According to a study completed by the Northern Arizona University, the city continues to prosper with more than 1.5 million tourists continuing to frequent Lake Havasu each year from around the world.

Ceremony location

Speakers at the dedication will include Sheehy, Ursenbach, Tribal Council Chairman Charles Wood, representatives of the McCulloch Family, representatives of the LHC Lighthouse Club, President & CEO Alan Oleson of the Lake Havasu Marine Association and June Waters Goff, Executive Director Lake Havasu City Museum of History.

The dedication will be at Site Five directly adjacent to Site Six which is at 900 Beachcomber Blvd. It is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., with speakers beginning at 3:30 p.m. The dedication will be streaming live across the country on KNTR TALK Radio www.kntrtalk.com beginning at 3 p.m.

The newly constructed lighthouse can be seen from the event location. Weather permitting, Dean Baker will be onsite to inflate the original hot air balloon from the 1971 London Bridge Dedication in honor of the famed entrepreneurs.

Lighthouse location