Iconic Wisconsin Culver’s Barn Destroyed By Severe Thunderstorm
Wednesday's weather brought some severe storms to Wisconsin, causing damage to homes, businesses, and farms across parts of the state.
One of the visuals in the aftermath of this storm that has a lot of people talking is that of an iconic Culver's "Thank You Farmers" barn that had been toppled by damaging winds from Wednesday's storms.
The barn, located right on the side of Highway 151 south of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, has been a landmark for locals and travelers since it was painted blue more than a decade ago as part of the Culver's Thank You Farmers Project.
Up until 2013, the barn was just a weathered old barn, but it got a coat of Culver's blue paint and a giant white "Thank You Farmers" painted on the end facing the highway.
This is one of two homestate barns Culver's has painted in Wisconsin, with the other also on Highway 151 just north of Mineral Point.
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The Zimmerman Family, who owns the Beaver Dam barn, told local media that the barn had sustained some damage earlier this spring, during a tornado in the area in April.
The severe thunderstorms on June 10, 2026, toppled the already damaged barn, leaving behind a pile of rubble next to a Culver's sign that's been next to the barn for nearly as long as the barn has been painted blue.
Spectrun News Wisconsin captured the aftermath in video, seen below.
80+ mph winds were reported during Wednesday's storms, which left damage to structures around the region in their wake.
The Zimmermans have been saying in local media interviews that Culver's has been very good to them over the years. The family says the barn was insured, and they are looking forward to hopefully rebuilding.
The Culver's Thank You Farmers Project has been around since 2013, with the restaurant chain calling it a way to express their gratitude and provide support for the farmers who provide the fresh ingredients used in their restaurants.
The project has raised more than $8 million to help invest in agricultural education and continue the farming tradition for future generations.
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Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper - TSM Duluth
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