Sometimes a treasure hunt can turn up the most amazing finds.
And that’s what happened when The Lake Havasu Museum of History uncovered a box of slides that contain images of the Dedication of the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City in 1971.
Robert P. McCulloch purchased the London Bridge in merry old England in 1968 and it was transported via the port at Long Beach, Calif., to Lake Havasu City.
The “largest artifact” in Arizona was put back togehter – stone by stone – to span the Bridgewater Channel on Lake Havasu.
A lavish dedication ceremony took place on Oct. 10, 1971. Celebrities, city founders and newly-minted citizens attended the event that included world class food and entertainment.
The photographer who took these photos is unknown. If anyone knows the identithy of the photographer, or anyone pictured in these photos, please contact RiverScene Magazine.
Included in these photos, are photos of the party inside the tent on the bridge and the performers who took part. Some of the stars on hand were Jonathan Winters, Nancy Ames, and the Les Brown Band.
RiverScene Magazine has digitized these slides for all to see and a big thank you to the Lake Havasu Museum of History for helping keep the history of Havasu alive.
C.V. Wood and guests inside of the tent at the 1971 Lodon Bridge Dedication in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Photo courtesy Lake Havasu Museum of History.
Sir Peter Studd, Lorne Greene, and Govenor Jack Williams inside the tent at the 1971 London Bridge dedication in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Photo courtesy Lake Havasu Museum of History.
The Les Brown Band performs inside the tent at the Lake Havasu City London Bridge dedication October 1971. Photo courtesy Lake Havasu Museum of History
Jonathan Winters speaks inside the tent at the Lake Havasu City London Bridge dedication October 1971. Photo courtesy Lake Havasu Museum of History
Nancy Ames performs with the Les Brown Band inside the tent at the Lake Havasu City London Bridge dedication October 1971. Photo courtesy Lake Havasu Museum of History
Cake inside of the tent during the 1971 Dedication of the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City. Photo courtesy Lake Havasu Museum of History
The cake being cut inside of the tent during the London Bridge dedication party. Photo courtesy Lake Havasu Museum of History
Dignitaries cross the Lodon Bridge during the 1971 dedication in Lake Havasu City, AZ. The London Bridge hot air balloon is also pictured. Photo courtesy Lake Havasu Musuem of History
“Welcome” is written in the sky by a sky writter during the Lake Havasu City London Bridge Dedication in 1971. Photo courtesy Lake Havasu Museum of History
Skywriting at the 1971 Dedication of the London Bridge in Lake Havasu. Photo courtesy Lake Havasu Museum of History
3,000 balloons released at the 1971 Dedication of the London Bridge in Lake Havsu City. Photo courtesy Lake Havasu Museum of History
Dignitaries walk across the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City during the 1971 dedication. Photo courtesy Lake Havasu Museum of History
A London Bridge hot air balloon and Arizona flag at the 1971 London Bridge Dedicaiton in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Photo courtesy Lake Havasu Museum of History
A skydiver at the dedication of the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City 1971. Photo courtesy Lake Havasu City Museum of History
A float during the dedication of the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City, AZ. in 1971. Photo courtesy Lake Havasu Museum of History
Children walking in the first London Bridge Days Parade during the dedication in 1971. Photo courtesy Lake Havasu Museum of History
London Bridge Dedication parade in 1971. Photo courtesy Lake Havasu Musuem of History
Esther, Norm, and Norma Tipton walk in the parade at the 1971 London Bridge dedication in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Photo Lake Havasu Museum of History
Grand Marshalls Mr. and Mrs. C.T. Thompson lead the parade during the 1971 London Bridge Dedication ceremonies. Photo courtesy Lake Havasu Museum of History
Cheerleaders take part in the London Bridge dedication on October 10, 1971. Photo courtesy Lake Havasu Museum of History
A tent is set up on the London Bridge to host a party for guests at the 1971 London Bridge Dedication in Lake Havasu City, AZ.
Lake Havasu City, AZ. edication of the London Bridge in 1971 Photo courtesy Lake Havasu Museum of History
Participants walk across the London Bridge during the 1971 London Bridge Dedication. Photo courtesy Lake Havasu Museum of History
Bagpipes at the dedication of the London Bridge in Lake Havasu City in 1971. Jillian Danielson/RiverScene
Musicians participate in the 1971 London Bridge Dedication in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Photo courtesy Lake Havasu Museum of History
A dove at the 1971 London Bridge Days Dedication Ceremony in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Photo courtesy Lake Havasu Muesuem of History
Participants on a float during the1971 London Bridge Dedication in Lake Havasu City, AZ. Photo courtesy Lake Havasu Musuem of History
Participants on a float during the 1971 London Bridge Dedicaiton. Photo courtesy Lake Havasu Museum of History
Fireworks over the London Bridge during the dedication in 1971. Photo courtesy Lake Havasu Museum of History
I would like to simply say thank you. I loved the story and the photos.
These are awesome pictures and memories
Mr Robert Bilderback “Bob” was the photographer for the Hearld for many years. He was a professional photographer whom covered every story in the early days of LHC from 1966- 1985. He has passed away but left nearly all his library of photographs to the historical society. He was my father in law.