Skip to Main Content

Zimmerman, Minnesota: The Sinking Barn (Gone)

Shutterbugs' delight: a rustic red barn, slowly sinking into a pond, easily visible from the road -- and only a few miles from a Dairy Queen. Demolished in May 2017.

Directions:
From US Hwy 169, at the Dairy Queen stoplight, turn east onto Hwy 4. Drive a little over three miles. You'll see the barn on the left. It is on private property but can be seen very clearly from the road.
Hours:
May 2017: Demolished.
Status:
Gone

Visitor Tips and News About The Sinking Barn

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

The Sinking Barn

The sinking barn was torn down last week by the property owners. They said the unstable structure was a danger to wildlife (and daring photographers who would climb inside). They have plans to recreate the structure, but no timeline had been set.

[LamFam, 05/21/2017]

The Sinking Barn finally sank on September 2, 2016. The collapsed structure was not as charming for photographers as it had been when it was sinking.

Sinking barn.

The Sinking Barn

The barn has sunk.

[Ken Hall, 12/08/2016]

Tough break for a unofficial attraction with appeal based on its photogenic qualities.

Sinking barn.

Zimmerman Sinking Barn

The Zimmerman sinking barn is probably the most photographed barn in the entire state of Minnesota. It was built next to a pond whose water level has been slowly rising over the years. During the spring, when pond levels are high, it often becomes partly submerged. It's become extremely popular with photographers because when conditions are right, the water reflects the barn, and it's close enough to the road so that anyone can easily photograph it.

[Warren Gammel, 11/17/2013]

The positive side of climate change and rising sea levels: more buildings to photograph in sublime semi-submersion.


Latest Tips Across Roadside America

Catch up on the latest discoveries from the road.

Explore Thousands of Oddball Tourist Attractions!

Unique destinations in the U.S. and Canada are our special obsession. Use our attraction recommendation and maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Create and Save Your Own Crazy Road Trip! ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

Minnesota Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

JFK's World Famous Twine Ball, Highland, Wisconsin (Mar 18-24, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings