by Jeroslyn JoVonn
February 7, 2026
Devoted descendants have restored Route 66’s solely Black-owned fuel station to its former glory and are planning to increase it additional.
The Threatt Filling Station in Oklahoma, the one Black-owned station on historic Route 66, has been revived by devoted descendants decided to honor their ancestors’ legacy.
Based in 1915 and housed in its present constructing since 1933, the Threatt Filling Station was the primary and solely Black-owned service station on Route 66 earlier than closing within the Seventies, Information On 6 reviews. Now, after renovations by descendants of the unique proprietor, Allen Threatt Sr., a lot of the station’s unique attraction has been restored and is prepared for the Route 66 centennial.
“I do know that they might be proud,” mentioned Edward Threatt. “I firmly consider they’re trying down on us. They know what we’re doing. They know why we’re doing what we’re doing, as a result of that’s the best way we have been raised.”
The station’s location and repair made it a vital cease for Black vacationers through the period of Jim Crow, together with sunset cities. In 2023, the founder’s cousins and grandsons led preservation efforts, and they’re now planning an growth that may embody an interpretive heart to share the station’s historical past, set to open by Could.
“I by no means thought of that in the future, I’d be 75 years outdated,” Edward mentioned. “I by no means thought of in the future I’d be an elder of the household. Once I was a child having fun with life, I didn’t take into consideration demise. However now, I by no means come on this property with out fascinated about Grandma and Grandpa.”
Threatt fostered a close-knit, household environment on the station, with the cousins serving to out as they grew up. Even after the station closed, members of the family continued to dwell in or go to the constructing properly into the early 2000s.
“He was simply pleased with himself, of his entire, full household,” mentioned Rev. Allen Menace III, about his grandfather.
Along with the interpretive heart, the Threatts hope to increase the property throughout greater than 100 acres, doubtlessly rebuilding a baseball diamond that after hosted Negro League video games, reopening a restaurant subsequent door, and including an RV park.
“I’m making an attempt to make it possible for folks know that they’ll come right here,” Edward mentioned. “They’ll get pleasure from, loosen up, and know that for those who don’t appear like me, I’m not going to discriminate in opposition to you.”
RELATED CONTENT: Nation’s Largest Black-owned Companies
