When was the White House completed? The White House was completed in_______. 47. Who was James Hoopen? James Hoopen was ________of the building. 48. What happened to the building during the War of 1812? The building_______. 49. Why were the walls painted white? The walls were painted white to cover_______. 50. Who was the first president of the White House? ______was the first president of the White House.