The city is unique in that its main street, Highway 31-W, is the dividing line between Robertson and Sumner counties. The White House population continues to grow as new residents move to the area and the city continues to offer its services to citizens on both sides of the county line. Citizens take pride in the White House Inn and Library. The facility was completed in 1986 as part of a statewide celebration of Tennessee history.

White House is considered a bedroom community of Nashville. Residents can enjoy the pleasures and conveniences of Nashville, but retreat to the country and really appreciate the benefits of living in a small, quiet and peaceful Tennessee town. Although White House has formally been recognized as a city for a little more than thirty years, this town has a rich, 200 year history. The first recorded explorations of the present -day community of White House were in the 1790's when hunters, trappers, and surveyors found a trail that had reportedly been made by buffalo seeking salt springs, and Native Americans seeking hunting grounds. One such pioneer was Richard Wilks. In 1796, Wilks took advantage of a pre-emption law which offered 360 acres of land to those who would establish permanent settlements in Middle Tennessee. He constructed a large, white, two story house on a portion of this land, through which happened to run a part of the old buffalo and Indian trail. White was a particularly rare hue to appear on a house at the time, especially in the underdeveloped land between Louisville and Nashville.

As development of the Middle Tennessee - Southern Kentucky area progressed and a definite travel route was established between the growing cities of Nashville and Louisville, Wilks' home, conveniently located adjacent to the travel route, was converted into an inn. Stagecoach travel became more frequent and drivers, most familiar with the house as a convenient stop for changing horses, began to tell travelers that they might find lodging at "The White House Inn".

The popularity of "The White House" grew and soon the name was applied to the small community surrounding this landmark. During the first half of the 1800's, there was a marked increase in travel along what had become known as the Louisville and Nashville (L&N) Pike. Many troops used the Pike during the Civil War.

Famous residents of the White House were Jenny Lind, "The Swedish Nightingale", and her tour manager, P.T. Barnum. The two traveled the L&N Pike and spent a night at the White House during her American tour in the 1850's. P.T. Barnum is of course famous for coining the phrase "There's a sucker born every minute."

The White House, which was sold by Richard Wilks in the late 1870's eventually became Tom Covington's residence. Covington moved his family into the dwelling around the beginning of 1892, maintaining its function as a haven for weary travelers, whose numbers were steadily increasing. Under Covington's ownership, the White House underwent extensive renovation, including the addition of the two porches and a "drummer's room", a reflection of the changing tide of travelers. "Drummers" were traveling salesmen who would spend the night at the White House and them peddle their wares to the community.(2) By this time, the L&N Railway was also well established and White House saw new growth, both commercially and residentially, due to this progress.

White House has completed part of its greenway, which eventually will provide a paved trail for walking, running or bicycling connecting the city's park, schools and downtown area. The first 1.6 miles of the greenway has three trailheads for parking, at Highway 76, Highway 31W and Tyree Springs Road at White House High School. Named the Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk and Tyree trail heads, they celebrate the city's history. When all five phases are complete, the greenway will circle the city.

A city park, on Highway 76, also offers a variety of family activities including a playground for children.

Although the monument for which the town was named was torn down in 1951 to make was for new development, this small community has maintained it's identity as a calm haven for those in transit between cities. In 1986, the community undertook the construction of a replica of this Grand Old Building, which is now located on Highway 76 near the White House Fire Department. The "Inn" is now home to the Public Library, part of the Warioto Regional Library Service. The second floor houses a museum of artifacts, depicting life in early White House. Exhibited are early tools, furniture, photographs and historic documents.