A Brief Profile and History of Lake Havasu City

Forty-five miles long, Lake Havasu is a section of the Colorado River, sandwiched between Arizona and California. Parker Dam shores up Lake Havasu's southern end, with Davis Dam to the north. Much of Lake Havasu's California shoreline was added to the Chemehuevi Indian reservation in 1974, with a portion of the shoreline remaining under Federal jurisdiction.

Lake Havasu City, which was founded in 1964, is situated on Lake Havasu's eastern shore, in Arizona. The city's founder, Robert McCulloch, who was commonly known for manufacturing chainsaws and outboard engines, originally came to Lake Havasu seeking a location to test his outboard engines.

McCulloch stayed and purchased a 26 square mile parcel of land, which would eventually become the hub of Lake Havasu City. McCulloch ambitiously promoted the development throughout the 1960's and 1970's, which included sponsoring free flights to Lake Havasu City for prospective buyers. Yet, his more outrageous marketing scheme was his purchase of the famous and historical London Bridge, which he relocated to the fledgling desert community.

Although Lake Havasu City didn't need a bridge, McCulloch dredged a channel, converting the peninsula known as Pittsburg Point into an island. McCulloch reportedly paid $2,460,000 for the historical landmark, and the project took about three years to complete. The London Bridge was officially opened in Lake Havasu City in October of 1971, connecting the new Island to Lake Havasu City's mainland.

Early settlers to the community often lived in tents, worked for McCulloch's Havasu based chainsaw manufacturing plant, or were themselves entrepreneurs. They were pioneers of the 1960's, helping to develop a new city in this desert community.

Lake Havasu City was incorporated in 1978, a year after the death of the city's founder, Robert McCulloch. As of 2008 the population has grown to exceed 50,000, and it far different than the desert community of 1964. Lake Havasu City has a new shopping mall, and dreams of bringing a four year campus to the community.

Lake Havasu City enjoys year round sunshine, with scorching double digit summer months. Boaters, water sport enthusiasts and fishermen use the lake year round. Lake Havasu is frequently the site of fishing tournaments, jet ski races and boat regattas. It is infamously known as being a popular spring break destination, frequently featured on MTV.

Lake Havasu enjoys two distinct tourist seasons; winter and summer. During the winter months retires from colder climates escape to Lake Havasu for three or four months each year, while boaters and skiers flock to Lake Havasu from Easter break through Labor Day weekend.