When London Bridge was rebuilt in Arizona, workers numbered granite stones before dismantling it

London’s famous bridge across the Thames river has suffered many travesties: it has fallen down time and time again, but still stood strong throughout.The bridge that kept falling downCirca AD 50-1176, several wooden iterations of the London Bridge were built again and again, only to fall due to storm, fire or ice damage. Then came the Old London Bridge, built in 1209 under the direction of Peter de Colechurch. The stone bridge was lined with houses and stood for more than 600 years, till an unfortunate fire took it out.

The bridge’s history has been anything but a smooth crossing.In 1831, it was eventually replaced by the New London Bridge. Designed by Scottish engineer John Rennie the Elder, its construction began in 1824, and the bridge officially opened on August 1, 1831. The bridge was built from granite and was supported by nearly 2000 timber pilings, a substantial feat at the time.

In 1896 the bridge was the busiest point in London, and one of its most congested; 8,000 pedestrians and 900 vehicles crossed every hour.But, the automobile finally caught up with the London Bridge.