The White House - The President’s House

In The Hesperus Prophecy, Tobias Lear commends the Clypeate for their courage during the War of 1812, “muskets loaded and ready even as British Redcoats marched above our Sanctuary towards the President’s House.”

“President’s House” is a reference to the White House. Historically, the building had no official title until 1901, when Teddy Roosevelt named it the White House. Prior, other names for the White House included"President's Palace” and "Executive Mansion.”

It is a common belief the White House received its name after the War of 1812, needing to be painted white to cover up the burn marks after the British set fire to the building.

In reality, The White House was already white, a whitewash coating was applied to the building's sandstone exterior in 1798, to protect the building from moisture and weather damage. The whitewash was reapplied periodically until 1818, when the building was painted with white lead paint. 

White House 1800, just after it was built, the lawn still a muddy construction zone.