Named for Jim Nance McCord (1879–1968), who served as governor of Tennessee from 1945 to 1949, the principal structure of the two-facility dairy unit was completed in 1949 at a cost of $600,000. The four-story building was designed by Barber and McMurry, and the general contractor was A. R. McMurry. The accompanying Dairy Manufacturing Building (the Creamery) was also substantially complete in 1949, at a cost of $435,000. Governor McCord, during whose administration UT received two state building grants that allowed construction of eight buildings, spoke at the November 4 dedication, held on homecoming weekend. McCord Hall initially housed personnel from the Dairy and Poultry Departments, as well as some staff members in animal husbandry and food technology.