Biography
Born to Charles and Rose Quimby of West Stewartstown, New Hampshire, Hortense Quimby grew up spending the summers at her father's growing camp complex on the shores of Little Leach Pond (now called Forest Lake) in the unincorporated town of Averill, Vermont. After obtaining the property in 1894, Charles Quimby had a vision for a "Maine Style" hunting and fishing retreat for well-to-do gentlemen. He spent much of the early years stocking various types of game fish throughout the area lakes and ponds as well as developing primitive tent platforms and cabins for the clientele. Through this early exposure, Hortense became an early advocate for sport fishing in the northern Vermont woods.
Hortense Quimby attended the State Normal School at Plymouth, New Hampshire, and graduated with a teaching certificate. She relocated to New Jersey where she lodged with relatives and taught school for about ten years. Her father died unexpectedly in late 1919 and Hortense moved back to the Northcountry to take over management of her family's Cold Spring Camp. However, her vision for the camp went beyond a rustic hunting and fishing retreat on five leased acres. She wanted a camp that would be noted throughout the U.S. as a family fun resort with fishing, sports, games, and camaraderie for all ages.
In the winter of 1927 she served as a hostess on a Raymond Whitcomb tour of South Africa. The cruise also included stops in numerous islands, African ports, London, Naples, and Paris. She was quoted as crediting this experience as foundational to the development of her own resort. She expanded the original small camp to over 900 privately held acres, installing trails for horseback riding and hiking. She replaced the tents with private cabins and a main lodge and employed many local families in what we would now call a farm-to-table experience. By 1934, the resort hosted over 1,000 guests including Governor George Aiken and his guest Gov. Alfred Landon, the 1936 Republican presidential nominee, and actor Henry Fonda, and his children Peter and Jane. One of Hortense's often-quoted mottos was, "Roughing it with comfort."
Hortense Quimby was also a fish culturist, and was know throughout the state for her lobbying during the legislative session on behalf of measures beneficial to fishing in the state. In 1923 she created the first commercial fish hatchery in Vermont on a tributary of Big Averill Lake, raising Lake Trout, Salmon, and Brook Trout. Later, this fish "station" became a public-private partnership with the State of Vermont. In addition to stocking lakes and ponds, Hortense also lobbied for scientifically based bag limits to make sure fish thrived for future generations of anglers.
Hortense Quimby served as an informal ambassador for the State of Vermont, exhibiting at sports shows throughout the United States in the off-season and enticing visitors of all stripes to experience Vermont. Once enrolled in camp, most families returned year-after-year and generation-upon-generation.
Never marrying, Hortense Quimby managed and grew the Cold Spring Club from a very small operation into one of Vermont's premier summer resorts on her own. After falling ill in 1965 she sold the club to a group of regular guests who operated the camp as Quimby Country, Inc., named in her honor. Hortense Quimby died in 1967, yet the camp she developed for over half-a-century is still in operation today.Education
Teaching Certificate, Plymouth State Normal School (1909)Occupation
Resort Owner
Teacher