'Down but not out'

There's been no time to sulk at Settlers Creek after last week's fire wiped out the historic barn of the wedding and event venue.

Staff, seen literally jogging on Monday between duties at the farmstead west of Coeur d'Alene off Up River Drive, is scurrying to host its largest wedding of the season this Saturday.

"The help and the dedication of the families to remain committed to coming here have been humbling," said owner Chris Varela, taking a quick break from preparing the dirt where the barn built in 1925 stood for a tent for the wedding reception.

“We're making sure our clients come first — and if we do that, everything else will be OK.”

Sarah Brogden-Thome, who will marry Trevor Buckley on Saturday, said she and Buckley were devastated to hear about the fire, but never wavered about holding their dream wedding at Settlers Creek.

"The support from the communities and the entire Settlers Creek family have been incredible," Brogden-Thome said. "Amid tragedy, they've bent over backward night and day to ensure our wedding goes off. We are super excited for Saturday.

"Sometimes life throws you a curveball, but this will be even better than imagined because everyone has bonded together as a family to keep moving forward. This is a testament to their character and heart."

The barn was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the Mooney-Dahlberg Farmstead in 2009. Firefighters said a barbecue smoker caught fire and the blaze extended to the exterior of the barn.

Varela said the barn will be rebuilt as it was.

"It will be a replica of the old barn," he said. "We're 30 to 40 percent into the design already."

While the barn was the visual centerpiece of the site, weddings and other events will go on as planned because features including the gazebo, amphitheater, kitchen and other buildings remain. The barn served as storage, a lounge and a place for men and women to get ready for their big day.

Varela said recent improvements to the site, including restrooms and preparation areas built inside the silo, will help during the transition.

He said his sons, Gabe and Jacob, and Chef Bill Hilbish braved the heat of the fire and stood in front of other buildings to spray them to prevent more structures from being destroyed.

"They are the reason our business is not over for the season," Varela said.

Varela said Hilbish held a food service tub over his head to fend off the heat while he fought back the flames from the meat-curing building.

An army of volunteers and staff amazingly had the rubble cleaned up in less than 48 hours, Varela said.

"Thirty to 40 people helped us pick up steel, and more than 40 truckloads of broken-up concrete was hauled off," he said. "The insurance company released us to work on it Friday afternoon and by Sunday afternoon, it was cleaned up."

Hilbish said only one event at the venue was canceled last week after the fire.

"This family is so tight and everyone who comes here is the same way," Hilbish said, referring to the staff and friends rallying after the fire. "The whole community has really backed us up."

Circle M Construction, Coeur d'Alene Paving, Northwest Rock and Dirt, Post Falls Brewing, Framework Meetings and Destinations, neighbors and others have rallied. Much of the effort has been volunteer and from donations.

Brandon Michielli of Circle M, who was married at Settlers Creek, said he was happy to provide support.

"Settlers Creek is a one-of-a-kind place and I'm friends with Chris," Michielli said. "I believe he would do the same for me."

Sidney Haney, Settlers Creek event manager, said the never-say-die attitude at the farmstead has been inspiring.

"Down but not out," she said.