Tank House to Get New Life at Impossible Acres

The Hunt-Boyer Tank House (next to ) will soon be cut in two, hoisted by a crane, and placed in a flatbed truck to be wheeled out of town in a celebratory parade.

Restoration of the Tank House has been a dream of Katie Kelly, who owns farm with her husband Clyde, both of whom recently purchased the downtown staple for just $11.

"We have already built several traditional structures on Impossible Acres land, but they're only replicas,” Kelly said. “The Tank House comes with its own authentic history and we couldn't be happier.”

The Kelly family plans a celebration, complete with the Tank House on wheels leading a parade that will also include antique farm equipment. The parade will run from downtown all the way to Impossible Acres.

A party will be waiting at the Tank House’s new home. It will feature fresh-pressed apple cider and other refreshments.

Kelly explained that the Tank House is a structure indigenous to California's Central Valley flatlands.

"You won't find them back East or on the coast," she said.

When it was built next to the Hunt-Boyer mansion 140 years ago, the Tank House was a state-of-the-art water storage facility.

When the Mansion Square shopping/office complex was developed 40 years ago on a former orange orchard behind the mansion, the Tank House was moved for the first time.

It stood decoratively behind a brick courtyard under orange trees next to the on Second Street. In the early 1990s, it housed the outdoor Cafe Cinema's kitchen.

The Kellys hope to bring the Tank House back to life.

"We want to make it functional again, to give city dwellers an idea of what life was like on farms across the Central Valley before electricity came in," Kelly said.

The family plans to build a windmill, which will pump groundwater through pipes to a storage tank on the Tank House roof. Gravity will then, as needed, power water flow for irrigating plants around the farm.

"We'll eventually open the interior for tours so people can get an idea of the wonderful craftsmanship and materials that were used to create the Tank House," Kelly said. 

But first extensive restoration work must be done.

When the Tank House had to make way for the Mishka's cafe/office complex and was moved to the west side of the Hunt-Boyer mansion last year, the City performed extensive interior rehab work. But removing and replacing the original lead-painted siding would have been too hazardous in the crowded downtown.

"Ventilation won't be a problem out on the farm," explained Katie’s daughter Natalie. "We'll wear masks, coveralls and gloves."

The whole Kelly family, along with volunteers, will pitch in to replace and repaint the siding.

"We'll get the work done in, I estimate, two or three days,” Katie said. “When we're done, it'll be cream-colored with bright red trim to blend in with our existing buildings.”

The twenty-five foot tall structure will be plainly visible from Covell Boulevard. With signage and its distinctive color scheme, it should beckon even more visitors and ag aficionados to Impossible Acres.

Currently, the farm welcomes more than 20,000 visitors a year to its Pickin' Patch orchards and gardens as well as for hayrides and other events.

Moving day and the parade are scheduled tentatively for the first week of August.

Impossible Acres Farm is located at the corner of Covell Boulevard and Road 98 (Pedrick Road).