A more difficult one this time; to find an old photo where the background is more interesting than the subject. I don't think that I have quite succeeded. Firstly it isn't sepia, secondly it isn't that old (from 1985) and thirdly for me the people in the foreground are an important part of the story.
This is the only picture I could find of it from the 1950s (it was being sold on Ebay)!
In 1967 the bridge was replaced by a new one and the old one was carefully demolished and sold to Arizona. Rumour has it they thought they were getting the more iconic Tower Bridge.
Loris and her husband made a point of visiting it again, in its new location and sent the photos to my mother to show her!
On the back of the photos she scribbled the following:
Loris and Oliver, October 1985, London Bridge, Lake Havasu, Arizona.
14 comments:
That is very exceptional, to have a penfriend for 65 years!
I was also surprised to read that a community in the US spent a fair amount of money on a London bridge. I am just wondering what their motivation could have been. A cheap bridge? Or admiration for their nephews?
But this is perfect - the background (Bridge) being in both pictures. Wonderful story.
At least it's not 'falling down'!
Lovely photos.
Being penfriends for close to 65 years must be quite an experience. The London Bridge is as gorgeous as ever.
I agree. London Bridge looks quite handsome there in Arizona.
The idea of moving the whole bridge to Arizona was fantastic. I have never seen it in either place.
That's the first time I've seen the London Bridge in Arizona.
We have a 100 year old Transporter Bridge near us, A few years ago there was a TV comedy show where it was being dismantled abd moved there as well (I think) There was uproar from those who thought it was going to happen for real.
I can imagine that there was probably an uproar when the London Bridge was sold as well. What a shame that was. And of all places for it to go! I haven't been there to see it, and maybe should go before I pass judgement. But somehow, it just doesn't seem right.
Nancy
There was a film not so long ago with a bunch of Geordies dismantling a bridge in Europe somewhere and then re-erecting it in the States. Unlike this one, though, it was a steel structure, I believe. Some SS reader will know the name of the movie and the well known actors.
I don't think anyone understood why they wanted the bridge in Arizona. It was being replaced with new one anyway and it was never one of the most attractive of the bridges across the Thames.
My mother's correspondence with her penfriend over virtually her entire life is another story that I'm sure I will delve into again! Thanks for all your comments.
My first reading - somewhat blurry-eyed after a night at the pub last night - was that they had sold London Bridge to the Americans on eBay, which I thought was quite a good idea. Realising my mistake, I read the post again and it was equally fascinating without the eBay mistake.
I have been to the London Bridge at Lake Havasu, several years ago (before I was blogging).
What a neat friendship that your mother and Loris had!
Kathy M.
Bravo, a most interesting and well written outline of such a wonderful place, and how interesting and exciting to have a pen-friend for that long of a time. Now a days I guess most of us facebook, all the time, which may go into years, but to actually keep up with a stranger, and meet a couple of times, very cool, it's something to look forward to when the mail person arrived!
I Wonder if Londoners could sell Boris Johnson on ebay?
i remember living in London the time they sold the bridge.Considering the Germans tried to blow it to Timbuktu,Arizona seemed a good compromise!
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