Sugarloaf Mountain is a National Natural Landmark in central Maryland, privately owned by Stronghold, Incorporated.  The company allows public access to the mountain park free of charge and maintains several popular hiking trails.  While considered a small mountain (only 800 feet higher than the land around it), the top of Sugarloaf Mountain provides spectacular views for miles around. Christoph von Graffenried was one of the first to come across Sugarloaf Mountain in 1712.  He and his group made use of the far-reaching view from the summit and drew up a map of the surrounding area.  During the Civil War, Sugarloaf was used as an overlook by Union troops.  Gordon Strong bought the mountain and nearby land in the 1900s.  President Franklin Roosevelt once thought about building his presidential retreat atop Sugarloaf, but Strong suggested he build on Catoctin Mountain instead.  Today, that site is known as Camp David. In 1940, Rockville, Maryland, received a mural picturing Sugarloaf Mountain.  It was painted by Judson Smith and features flat farmland in the foreground with Sugarloaf rising up in the distance.  It still hangs in the Rockville Post Office today as a reminder of Sugarloaf Mountain's place in Maryland history.