River Dance RV Resort

 The seventy-one acres that the River Dance complex sits on has been in the owner’s family since 1882. John Patrick Quinlan and his wife Emma, like many Irish immigrants, came to America in the hopes of finding a better life, and raising a family.  The surrounding mountain terrain and appearance of mild winters showed much promise for the raising of cattle to the first settlers of the valley.  However, weather patterns drastically changed during the late 1800’s and the severe winters devastated the cattle herds. The majority of the early Irish settlers literally lost everything and walked out of the valley. Those that remained turned to mining, and selling produce from their gardens to scratch out a living. The hard way of life took a toll on Emma, and she died at a young age leaving John with five children to raise.  John sent for his sister Sarah to come from Ireland to help raise the children. Years later John moved to McCoy and deeded the property to Sarah (reason why the owner’s refer to the property as Aunt Sarah’s place).  Sarah was a nurse by profession and cared for the remaining settlers and their families until the day she died. The name “River Dance” was adopted to honor Sarah, as she loved to sing and dance along the river bank. Upon Sarah’s death, title to the property past to Agnes Quinlan (daughter to John Quinlan, and grandmother to the present owners). Agnes Quinlan served as one of the first school teachers in the valley, and later married Lawrence Mosher. Without question, Agnes was a woman of intelligence and determination. Upon her death in 1954, Agnes had amassed a fortune which included approximately 3,500 acres of land, and one of the largest cattle ranches in the valley – while raising seven children of her own.  In the year 2000 the present owners Rusty and Ron Mosher (4^th generation) purchased the remaining family’s interest in the property.  John, Sarah, and Agnes are at rest in the nearby Gypsum cemetery.

 Many historical family sites still remain. The John Quinlan cabin still stands on the north side of I-70 just west of the park’s location. The remains of Sarah’s cabin are on the hill just west of the park’s location. The foundations of the first stage couch road are just east of the park’s location, along the river banks. The Irish flag of Mayo County is flown at River Dance to honor the family’s home land, and the Irish women’s spirit that founded this valley.