When John Adams arrived to the White House for the first time, in November, 1800, what was the name of the city?

rosmarinus44

Capital (Capitol) City http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/ja2.html Jul 27 08, 11:43 PM

Arpeggionist

I believe it was called Federal City (DC), and renamed Washington after the first President's death under the administration of Adams. Jul 28 08, 4:39 AM

McGruff

The so-called Residence bill, approved July 16, 1790, authorized the selection of a site "not exceeding 10 miles square" somewhere in the Potomac region, and the establishment herein of the permanent seat of government of the United States. The President, George Washington, was to choose the site, acquire the tract, and appoint building commissioners. [It was referred to as the "Federal town" or city at this point. The area George Washington chose included the settlement of Georgetown on the Maryland side of the Potomac, and the town of Alexandria in Virginia.] http://www.dcpages.com/History/dchistory3.html December 1, 1800: The federal capital is transferred from Philadelphia to the site on the Potomac River now called the City of Washington, in the territory of Columbia. At the time of the 1800 census, the population of the new capital included 10,066 whites, 793 free Negroes and 3,244 slaves. http://www.narpac.org/ITXDCHIS.HTM Much more detail at this site. http://www.dcpages.com/History/ These cover the time of the creation of the District, and John Adams moving into the White House: http://www.dcpages.com/History/dchistory4.html December 14, 1799 our beloved first President, George Washington passed away. Congress was in session at Philadelphia, ... the provisions of the Residence Bill of 1799 Congress should convene in the permanent seat of government on the first Monday in December 1800. On May 15, 1800, Congress having adjourned, Adams directed his Cabinet so to arrange their departmental affairs "that the public offices may be opened in the city of Washington... by the 15th of June." This was done, and Philadelphia ceased to be the seat of national government on June 11, 1800. http://www.dcpages.com/History/dchistory5.html Jul 28 08, 9:13 AM