What was the White House originally called?

The main thing that weirds me out about the White House — the place where the U.S. President works and lives — is that it basically has two fronts. For the longest time, I thought I was losing my mind because some photos seemed to show a circular facade, while others were more flat with columns. Plus, both exteriors have a fountain out front.

I haven’t seen too many houses that can pull this crap, but I guess that’s one of the perks of being president.

John Adams was the first U.S. president to take up residence there in 1800. He lived there for only five months before Thomas Jefferson moved in 1801, becoming the first president to serve a full term while living in the White House. It got its distinctive white color thanks to a lime-based whitewash meant to protect it from moisture. But at that time, it wasn’t really ever called “the White House.” It wasn’t until the 1900s when Teddy Roosevelt finally decreed to the land what the residence should be called once and for all. 

Before then, it was often referred to by what other name?

*Update 10/20/24: A previous version of this said Jefferson was the first president to live in the White House. Thanks to our reader, Stephen, for the correction!