By January 18, 1886, the Laurel had acquired a pair of iron-gray horses for use by the company. On Friday, March 12, 1886, the members of the Laurel agreed to purchase two large bay horses from Mr. Ben Kendig after testing the horses and finding them satisfactory. On Thursday, March 11, 1886, the Laurel received permission to remove the columns running down the center of the apparatus room that support a beam in the ceiling, and to replace the columns with trusses, to make more room for using their newly acquired horses to pull the fire apparatus. The request was approved by the Town Council. In late February 1887, the Laurel had built temporary stables onto the rear of the Engine house until permanent stables would be built around them. They also removed the horse stalls from the apparatus room of the engine house. The two arched doorways to the apparatus room on the front facade were replaced by a single rectangular doorway. Rex Truck House The first truck house for the Rex Hook and Ladder Company was built in the 100 block of East Market Street, and was occupied on Tuesday July 26, 1887. It was a frame building, 16 feet wide and 65 feet deep. By 1891, the Rex was in need of new quarters. The truck house on East Market Street was too small, and could not be properly heated. The stable was without sufficient light or proper ventilation, and was damp. The horses contracted a chronic cough. On July 7, 1891, the city passed an ordinance that, in part, authorized "six thousand, two hundred and fifty dollars; -for the erection of a building on South Duke Street, on lot adjoining the Laurel Fire Company building, for the use of the Rex Hook and Ladder Company", Common Council Bill No. 28, authorizing the building of a truck house for the Rex Hook and Ladder Company passed on August 10, 1891. The Select Council passed the bill on September 1, 1891. At a meeting of the Fire Committee on September 3, 1891, plans submitted by architect Dempwolf were accepted by the committee, and a notice to contractors to bid was approved. The truck house would be 21 feet wide, with a truck room 56 feet deep and stables 24 feet deep. The front was designed to look as a continuation of the Laurel engine house, and a small