South Hall (building 1) was the first and only arts quad building finished in time for the opening of Cornell in 1868. Cascadilla Place had been built earlier as a water-cure hospital. It was repurposed for the university in 1866 in advanced of the opening.  Building 1 became Morill Hall.

North Hall (building 2) was completed in 1869 and became White Hall.

Mc Graw Hall was built between South and North Halls in 1870.