The Pound legacy in Gainesville centers around Baird Hardware, Inc. Eberle Baird opened the business in 1890 at the east side of the courthouse square in Gainesville. It was a family business, the center of town and a place where people would see everyone they knew. Through dedicated work for Baird Hardware, Inc. and strong financial leadership, C. Addison Pound, Sr. eventually purchased the company. The store finally closed its doors in 1980. Baird Hardware, Inc. served the University of Florida for decades, offering large inventories at wholesale prices. C. Addison Pound, Jr. graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1935, and members of subsequent generations of the Pound family graduated from UF.

After it closed its doors, part of the Baird Hardware, Inc. property was donated to the University to support endowed scholarships in business and engineerin