THE MANY LIVES OF THE COMUS INN
A constant presence for more than 150 years
Story and Photos by melane kinney hoffmann
With its charming farmhouse façade, The Comus Inn presents a friendly entry point to the road leading to Sugarloaf Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard, and the winding country byways beyond. Just off I-270 near Hyattstown and Dickerson, the Inn has been a cherished community gathering spot and much appreciated restaurant for more than 60 years. Yet its rich history takes us back in time to the late 19th century.
Originally built as a home around 1862, it is one of the older continually used structures in Montgomery County’ s Ag Reserve.
Benjamin and Mary Johnson bought a large tract of land that now houses the Inn in the early 1800s. It was then divided between their two sons Joseph and Benjamin Jr. Subsequently, the original owners’ grandson Robert Johnson bought 10 acres at age 23, which is the current site of the Inn. Shortly afterward he built the barn and smokehouse that remain on the property to this day. When Robert bought more 60 more acres and expanded his farming, the farm became a center of activity, attracting a school, general store, blacksmith shop, and other homes. This country corner formed the nucleus of a typical rural crossroads community of that period. The area became known as Johnsonville, named after the Johnson family.
The major expansion that foreshadowed the structure of The Co-
8 plenty I autumn harvest 2025