Preserving Kingman’s Past: Historic Water Tank Finds New Life at Local Museum

In a heartening turn for historic preservation advocates, a rare water tank — believed to be Kingman’s oldest — has been saved from demolition and will now be preserved at the Mohave Museum of History & Arts. 

The tank, once located behind the historic Hubbs House, was nearly lost to time when the City of Kingman’s Parks Department proposed its removal. But thanks to swift action by tourism leader Josh Noble and museum director Leah Stagg, the tank has found a new home and a new future. 

“As far as I can tell, this is the oldest still-existing water tank in Kingman,” said Josh Noble of the Kingman Office of Tourism. “While it’s not ideal to move it from its original location, preserving it is far better than losing it entirely. I’m grateful the museum stepped in to help protect this piece of Kingman’s early infrastructure.”

The tank, likely erected between 1898 and 1905 following a devastating fire that destroyed its predecessor, served as a vital part of the community’s early efforts to manage water access and fire safety. Historical photographs and articles from the late 19th and early 20th centuries provide clues to its origins — and its significance.

“The big wooden windmill in the rear of the Hubbs House looked like a monster pinwheel while the flames were devouring it,” reported the Mohave County Miner in May 1898, chronicling the destruction that likely prompted the construction of the surviving tank and windmill system.

Recognizing its historical importance, Mohave Museum Director Leah Stagg brought the idea of rescuing the tank to the Museum Board. “We were happy to be able to keep the tank safe,” said Stagg. “It will be kept at our Mohave Museum of History & Arts in a secure, gated area behind the building. We’re hoping to continue this collaborative effort with the city for preservation and restoration when everyone’s ready to develop a permanent plan. Josh has truly been the driving force behind this. He’s done an awesome job of making sure this piece of history isn’t lost or overlooked. We’re just glad to help and be part of the effort.”

With the tank now under the museum’s care, it stands as a powerful reminder of Kingman’s frontier-era ingenuity and the continued importance of preserving everyday elements of the past — especially those in danger of being forgotten.

As Noble puts it: “Preservation doesn’t always mean perfection. Sometimes it just means saving what you can, while you still can.”

To support historic preservation efforts like this one, or to learn more about the Mohave Museum of History & Arts, visit