Jennifer Sandy, field director for the National Trust for Historic Preservation agreed that this station is important in black history. She noted that in a 1939 newspaper clipping indicates that the Threatt filling station may have been the only "Negro station" in the U.S. at the time. And, it was likely the only black-owned station on Route 66 at the time.
In 2021, the Threatt station made the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Most Endangered Places list And that is a big step in its preservation because in the 34-year history of this list of more than 300 places, only 5% have been lost.
Because the Threatt station was family owned, it didn't have to answer to a national corporation for its design. This made it much more distinctive from other stations, particularly because they used native stone that was mined nearby.
But, of course, there then comes the question of money for restoration. At one time it was estimated that it would cost $200,000 to do everything needed at the station, including plumbing and electrical. COVID had caused the costs to go considerably.
The Threatts are still raising money and have a site for donations. They hope to start restoration work this year, ultimately turning it into a visitors center.
I certainly wish them success. We passed by it and didn't even know the importance of it one time.
Now, We Know. --RoadDog
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