Smithsonian Features Historic Luther Filling Station

The Threatt Filling Station was founded in 1915 by Rev. Allen Threatt Sr. A haven in a hostile world for African American travelers.

"When my grandfather built this place, I don't think he thought about history," said Rev. Allen Threatt III.

But now a lot of people are thinking about it. The station's original cash register is now on display in a travelling Smithsonian exhibit on the Green Book, a guide for African American travelers during segregation.

"With it being able to travel in that exhibit, it gives us the exposure across the country," said David Threatt, the great grandson of Allen Threatt Sr.

Though the filling station wasn't in the Green Book, it was well known as the first Black-owned service station on Route 66.

The exhibit opened on Saturday in Memphis at the National Civil Rights Museum.

"To have that piece of our history presented there from the top, from the beginning of that tour, it's just amazing to be a part of," David said.

The Threatt family's dream is to make that history come alive here by converting the filling station to a museum. They started a GoFundMe page, and got a big boost from Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell, who donated $15,000 from a charity golf tournament. $5,000 of that came from a donation by the Cherokee Nation.

"Just make it back just like it used to be, where it first was a place where we could serve the community," Rev. Threatt said.