From January 11, 2022, Fast Company "On Route 66, a family restoring the only gas station built for black travelers" by Kristi Eaton.
The Threatt Filling Station was established near Luther, Oklahoma, in 1915, but, after closing in the 1970s, it began a long decline, but the original family, the Threatts are now looking to revitalize and preserve that station.
What made this station special was that it served black travelers along the Mother Road. Many white-owned stations wouldn't.
The property originally included 160 acres that included a farm, a field for Negro League baseball games, an outdoor stage and a bar. Allen Threatt Sr. built the station around 1915 and the station continued to operate until the 1970s.
One of Allen's grandsons, Ed Threatt and other relatives are now working to restore this historic property.
"It's part of black history within the state of Oklahoma," Ed said. "For him to acquire 160 acres of land in that Jim Crow era, that's no small feat."
--RoadDog
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