The History of Lake Havasu City: From Concept to Thriving Community

Lake Havasu City, Arizona, is known today as a vibrant community, a recreational paradise, and a unique desert-lake town that attracts thousands of visitors each year. But what many don’t know is that this city was born from a bold vision, determination, and even a touch of British history.

From its origins as a remote desert outpost to the acquisition of the world-famous London Bridge, Lake Havasu City’s development is a fascinating story of entrepreneurship, innovation, and resilience.

The Origins: From Military Outpost to Master Plan (1940s - 1960s)

Before it became a city, the area that is now Lake Havasu City was virtually untouched desert, inhabited mainly by Native American tribes and wildlife. However, its transformation began during World War II, when the U.S. government saw its strategic potential.

📍 Site Six: The Military Beginnings

✔ In 1943, the Army Air Corps established a small military rest and refueling outpost on the shores of Lake Havasu.
✔ It was called Site Six, and it served as a location for training pilots and refueling military aircraft.
✔ After the war, the base was decommissioned and abandoned, leaving behind a few empty buildings and a vast stretch of desert.

Robert P. McCulloch’s Vision

✔ In 1958, Robert P. McCulloch, an industrialist and entrepreneur, purchased 3,500 acres of land around Lake Havasu.
✔ McCulloch was the founder of McCulloch Motors, known for manufacturing chainsaws and small engines. He initially intended to use the land as a test site for his outboard boat motors.
✔ But soon, he saw a much bigger opportunity—turning this barren desert into a master-planned city.

📌 Key Takeaway: The land that would become Lake Havasu City was once a deserted military outpost, but Robert McCulloch saw its potential for something much greater.

Building a City from Scratch (1960s - 1970s)

Developing a city in the middle of the desert was no small feat. There were no roads, no infrastructure, no utilities—just miles of sand and the lake.

🚧 The Early Challenges of Development

✔ McCulloch worked with the federal government to secure additional land—eventually growing his holdings to 13,000 acres.
✔ He invested millions into building roads, power lines, and water systems, knowing that without infrastructure, no one would want to live there.
✔ The first residential lots were sold in 1963, marking the official start of Lake Havasu City.

📌 Key Takeaway: Turning raw desert into a livable city required vision, investment, and overcoming major infrastructure challenges.

The London Bridge: A Bold Marketing Move (1968 - 1971)

If you ask people what put Lake Havasu City on the map, most will say one thing—the London Bridge.

🏗️ How the London Bridge Ended Up in Arizona

✔ The original London Bridge, built in 1831, was sinking into the River Thames due to its heavy weight and old foundation.
✔ In 1968, the City of London put the bridge up for sale to raise funds for a new structure.
✔ McCulloch saw a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—he purchased the bridge for $2.46 million and had it shipped piece by piece to Arizona!

🚢 Transporting & Rebuilding the Bridge

✔ Each of the 10,000+ granite blocks was numbered, disassembled, and shipped to the U.S.
✔ They traveled by boat and truck, arriving in Arizona where workers meticulously rebuilt the bridge over a man-made canal.
✔ In 1971, the London Bridge officially opened in Lake Havasu City, becoming one of the biggest tourist attractions in Arizona.

📌 Key Takeaway: McCulloch bought and moved an entire bridge from England to Arizona—one of the boldest marketing stunts in history that successfully put Lake Havasu City on the global map.

Rapid Growth & Incorporation (1970s - 1990s)

After the London Bridge opened, Lake Havasu City saw explosive growth as thousands of people flocked to visit, retire, and invest in real estate.

🏡 Marketing the City to Home Buyers

✔ From 1964 to 1978, McCulloch offered free flights to 137,000+ prospective buyers from colder states.
✔ The strategy worked—nearly every parcel of land was sold by 1978, and the population skyrocketed.

📈 Incorporation & Expansion

✔ In 1978, Lake Havasu City was officially incorporated as a city, cementing its status as a growing Arizona community.
✔ By 1981, the population reached 17,000—a huge jump from the few hundred residents in the early 1960s.

📌 Key Takeaway: McCulloch’s aggressive marketing & free flight program helped turn Lake Havasu into a thriving real estate market.

Lake Havasu City Today (2000s - Present)

Fast forward to today, and Lake Havasu City is no longer just a desert experiment—it’s a thriving, vibrant community.

🌆 The City’s Growth

✔ Population: Now over 56,000 residents (and growing!).
✔ Tourism: Attracts 750,000+ visitors annually for boating, events, and outdoor recreation.
✔ Economy: Once fully dependent on McCulloch, now diversified into tourism, healthcare, and retail.

🎉 Biggest Events in Lake Havasu City

✔ Lake Havasu Balloon Festival – One of the top 5 balloon festivals in the U.S. 🎈
✔ Spring Break & College Parties – A major draw for students every March. 🎤
✔ Boat Races & Poker Runs – Lake Havasu is one of the best boating destinations in the U.S. 🚤
✔ London Bridge Days – A local festival celebrating the history of the city’s most famous landmark. 🎭

📌 Key Takeaway: What started as a remote desert dream is now one of the most desirable cities in Arizona, with a booming tourism and real estate market.

Final Thoughts: From Concept to Thriving Community

🏜️ Lake Havasu City’s story is one of bold vision, innovation, and incredible transformation.

✔ From a forgotten military base to a master-planned city
✔ From an unknown desert town to a world-famous tourist destination
✔ From a few hundred residents to over 56,000 people calling it home

McCulloch’s vision literally built this city from nothing—and today, Lake Havasu City continues to thrive, grow, and attract new generations of residents and visitors.

🚀 Thinking about moving to Lake Havasu City? Let The Gedalje Group help you find the perfect home in this one-of-a-kind city!

📞 Contact us today for expert real estate guidance. 🏡