Lauren Diveley pushed wisps of hair out of her face Wednesday as she peered over the police tape keeping her from the charred remains of a building that defined the 23-year-old's childhood.

"I was in tears for days thinking off all the memories I had here," she said. "I lost my favorite place to be and as silly as it sounds, a best friend. Next to my dog, it's the worst loss I've ever experienced."

Diveley, whose aunt owned State Bridge from 1989 to 1998, grew up spending summers at the famous and historic 117-year-old State Bridge Lodge at the State Bridge River Resort in Bond, 60 miles south of Steamboat Springs on Colorado Highway 131.

At about 4:30 a.m. June 2, a fire took only about 45 minutes to roar through the compound, destroying the lodge, an attached house and an outbuilding. No injuries were reported.

More than a week after the fire, Eagle County officials have not yet determined what caused the blaze. For State Bridge employees and faithful supporters, what happened in the past doesn't matter anymore; it's what's going to happen in the future that will define State Bridge.

'A music oasis'

Steamboat Springs resident Kevin King said the few concerts he attended at State Bridge stick out in his mind because of the unique atmosphere.

State Bridge "is totally a music "oasis" in the middle of nowhere," he said. "You're way out there and then all of a sudden it's there and there are all your friends."

King said he was saddened to hear that 'oasis' was gone.

"How convenient is it to raft or canoe all day, get a cabin and head to an awesome show at night?" he said. "It's too bad."

Scott Stoughton, co-owner and general manager of State Bridge Lodge, said the music venues that came through the area brought people together from all over the state and surrounding counties.

"We've always had a strong Steamboat following. Steamboat's an awesome place," he said. "I know I'd recognize a lot of regular faces if they came out."

Stoughton is hoping to get a large group of people to come out today for the Del McCoury Band, which has been moved to the Four Eagle Ranch, nine miles south of State Bridge on Colorado 131.

"We need support from all of our friends, from all over right now," he said.

Joe Kboudi, owner of All That Jazz, said Steamboat Springs' residents are notorious for traveling for music.

"People are always going to" State Bridge, he said. "People here go everywhere and anywhere they can for a good concert. Steamboat people will go anywhere for music."

Throughout the years, bands such as the Dixie Chicks, String Cheese Incident and the New Orleans Radiators, have taken the stage at State Bridge. Stoughton is confident that the lodge's legacy has not been lost.

A survivable tragedy

Despite losing a historic landmark, Stoughton said he knows the spirit that is State Bridge will return.

"What State Bridge is to me, and so many other people, is a non-denominational church that worships all things Colorado - the river, the music, the people," he said. "That spirit is alive and well."

"There's not a doubt this is a tragedy, but the most important thing is that the people, all the old and young, river rats, ranchers, hippies, hikers and families will be back," he added.

John Ryder, an on-site manager, and his dog Tatiana, were the only ones close to the fire when it began June 2. Tatiana saved Ryder's life by waking him up and forcing him out of bed.

"Tatiana was all agitated, running around and jumping on me. I smelled something, but it didn't smell like smoke," he said. "I can't describe the smell, but I kept hearing this loud pop and it just hit me, 'This place is on fire.'"

Brandon Beaudette, a detective with the Eagle County Sheriff's Office, said officers have not determined what caused the fire, but are not ruling out any possibilities.

"What's left is pretty uninteresting, unfortunately," he said Wednesday, walking amid piles of charred wood and pieces of melted metal. "I actually wish there was more of a structure left or something, but the fire was so fierce that absolutely everything burned."

Ryder described flames stretching 200 feet in the area.

"It was just a sea of flames," he said. "It was so hot."

When Eagle County firefighters arrived at State Bridge the only thing they could do was make sure the fire didn't spread into the surrounding brush and trees, Beaudette said.

"Our only priority at that point was preventing the fire from spreading," he said. "It was a total containment effort."

State Bridge management had cleared the area of dry brush last year, which might have prevented a fire, he added.

"I'm sure that's the only reason we're not dealing with a wildfire at this point," he said.

Moving forward

Stoughton, who has worked at State Bridge for 13 years as a musician, bartender, booking agent, cook, landscaper and security guard, said he is hoping to reopen State Bridge on June 29 for the New Orleans Radiators show even if means putting up tents and other makeshift accommodations.

"The show must go on," he said. "This place has been up for 117 years as a place for people to meet, drink and eat. We'll rebuild, and it'll be up for another 100 years. It's an opportunity to create something even more magical than it was."