The Golden West Saloon, which was built on Albuquerque’s Central Avenue in 1929, was destroyed by fire Thursday, reports the Albuquerque Journal.

The fire also damaged the historic El Rey Theater next door, but the owner is optimistic it will reopen next weekend.

The owner made a appeal to the community to revive the saloon, according to KOB-TV:

Kathy Zimmer, who owns the building with her mother, says she learned of the fire through a television news report. Zimmer called the damage to the building, which was built by her grandfather, devastating.

“We’re not going to be able to do anything with this building by ourselves,” said Zimmer.  “We’re gonna need the community’s help.”

“If anybody cares, we’re gonna have to pitch in like a community, an old fashioned community, or it’s gone,” she added.

Boyd Coddington, star of the “American Hot Rod” TV show and hot-rod ambassador, died at age 63 on Tuesday morning.

The cause of death wasn’t disclosed. However, Edmunds.com revealed that Coddington had been hospitalized since January after a fall at his home.

Obituaries by the New York Times and Popular Hot Rodding provide a good overall glimpse of the man.

Coddington had at least one link to Route 66 and arguably more.

First, he was inducted into the Route 66 Wall of Fame, which is associated with the Historic Arizona Route 66 Association Cruising Hall of Fame and the Route 66 Rendezvous in San Bernardino, Calif. He also was inducted into the National Rod and Custom Car Hall of Fame and Museum, an hour from Tulsa.

Second, Coddington was in Tulsa less than a year ago to oversee the attempted salvaging of a 1957 Plymouth Belvedere that was buried in a concrete vault for 50 years. Alas, the car was inundated by water because of flaws in the vault and essentially ruined. The Belvedere was taken to a New Jersey rust-removal firm in November; there have been no updates about the car since.

Condolences can be expressed here at Coddington’s Web site.

UPDATE: Correction made regarding the Route 66 Wall of Fame.

UPDATE2: Mike Callens of Teepee Curios in Tucumcari, N.M., sent me this photo of Coddington, in the white shirt, next to the unearthed Belvedere last year in Tulsa.

A few days ago, architecture students helped the Route 66 town of Webb City, Mo., with ideas for revitalizing its downtown.

Now it looks like University of Oklahoma landscaping architecture students also will provide ideas on March 7 for another Mother Road city, Miami, Okla., reports the Joplin (Mo.) Globe.

“They will be looking at new ideas for landscaping, lighting and possibly banners” for the parking areas, as well as a plan for possibly developing a park area outside the Coleman Theatre, he said.

“They want to look at ideas that had worked in other communities” and adapt them to possible use for Miami, Eller said.

“Once they get input from the public, they will go back and work on more concrete plans, and come back with those plans for a second public meeting.”

The Globe also reports that city engineer Jerry Ruse will make a presentation on a $2 million Main Street project that involves landscaping and antique-style street lights. Markers on Route 66 will be included.