902 W State St Ithaca

"Emma L. Minier of Ithaca, Louis S. Ridgeway of Coatesville, Pa., and John J. Glenzer of Ithaca to William A. Murray, also of this city, property on West Seneca and Westport streets."

"Real Estate Transfers," Ithaca Journal, June 23, 1921, 7.

W.A. Murray Oil Co

Advertisement for W.A. Murray Oil Co, Ithaca Journal, December 15, 1923, 8.

R. J. Bruce Esso Servicenter

H. A. Manning Co, Schenectady, NY

“William A. Murray, one of Ithaca’s early automobile service station owners, and his wife, Loretta Murray, have sold to Robert J. Bruce of 123 Columbia St., and his son, R.J. Bruce Jr., 123 W. Haven Rd., the property at 902 W. State St., corner of Taughannock Blvd., known as R.J. Bruce Esso.

The Murrays are now living in Raleigh, N.C.

Murray started in 1914 to service cars with gasoline from steel drums. He converted a former cider mill into an auto repair shop. This shop was across the street from the service station, on the present site of a parking lot.

In 1921 Murray purchased from John J. Glenzer the land and buildings where the present service station is located. Glenzer conducted a general store in that flatiron shaped block.

At one time Murray serviced many motor boats with gasoline as they came up the Inlet for gas. He also was reputed to have one of the largest stocks of auto tires in the state outside of New York City.

Ten years ago the property was leased by the Bruces, who formed a son-and-father partnership. Both members of the firm have been active as volunteer firemen for many years with Rescue Steamer & Chemical 2. R.J. Bruce Jr. has been a fireman for 19 years, and his father for 37 years. They have both been active in bowling, and sponsoring teams.

R.J. Bruce Jr. served in the Air Force in the Pacific during World War II.

The Burns Realty Co. was the broker in the real estate transaction.”

“Bruces Buy Early Ithaca Gas Station,” Ithaca Journal, June 13, 1962, 8.