Divernon Block Party – Celebrating 125 Years

July 12th was the Divernon Block Party and the day the town celebrated their 125th year. The event was shared in the Illinois Times, “One-day, family-friendly event featuring children’s activities, craft fair, live-music, bags tournament, contests, food and drink vendors…”

For those like my husband, Keith that attended Divernon schools, it was basically a get together. It was a chance to see school mates, meet spouses, their children, grandchildren and reminisce.

History of a coal mining town.

In this neck of the woods small towns have a common history. This history usually includes farming and mining. From 1900 – 1925, Divernon had 25 busy years. Historian Dave Brady shares, that it was the 2nd largest town in Sangamon County. Madison Coal Company Number 6 was one of the largest coal producers. At the time, it was the most modern coal mines around. They produced coal strictly for the Illinois Central Railroad, another big employer.

A wildcat strike brought the end in 1925. 800 employees were out of work, and according to former Divernon resident, Dave Brady, the town lost “two-thirds of their population.”

On the Village of Divernon website, the history of Divernon begins before the first trustees were elected in 1900.

The story.

The first resident, Thomas Black arrived in 1819. Officially the Village was founded in 1887. The founder was H.C. Barnes. An article by David Brady, shares that the town was first called Springer. However, a post office in southern Illinois already claimed the name.

The rest of the story Divernon’s name has a rather romantic story link. It hails from Sir Walter Scott’s book Rob Roy. The heroine of the book’s name was Diana Vernon. Friends called her Di Vernon, and you get the idea.

Jake Rettberg was the event’s Grand Marshall!

The block party theme was “Through the generations” and Jake Rettberg, the Grand Marshall is the owner of Rettbergs on the square. Rettberg’s Inc. began as a radio and electronics store in the 1940s and 1950s. Started by Ernie Rettberg, this has remained a family business. Today Rettbergs offers plumbing, electrical work, heating and air conditioning. They also offer whole-house stand-by generators, and the sale and maintenance of appliances.

Jake Rettberg is the current owner of the Rettbergs, and is the son of Ernie Rettberg, who started the business in 1948. He shared that Ernie usually performed service calls while his wife, Betty, and mother, Elizabeth Rettberg, helped run the store during the day.

Jake shared in an essay he wrote about the business. “Growing up in a small town was the best choice that my parents made,” said Jake. “Although I have been driven by my dad’s legacy, I have my own. I will never regret my decision to continue what Mom and Dad started. We have hundreds of loyal customers, many of whom I consider lifelong friends. Although I am in a semi-retirement mode now, as long as my name is on the building, I will not fully retire.”

“It’s hard to believe that I am the last Rettberg in town,” he said. “Growing up, there were at least ten Rettberg families. I can only hope that when I am gone, people get the same quality, reliable, fair, and affordable service that Rettberg’s has offered for the last 77 years.”

The Block Party kicked off with a parade.

Jake and his family took the lead with a decorated Rettberg’s truck that Jake found and modeled to appear like his late dad’s. The truck headed up the short parade.

Another truck carrying Fred Jessup, United Community Bank’s Executive Vice President. Coming from a farm background, Fred moved up through the ranks beginning his career at Illini Bank in Divernon. The former bank where he started out has recently opened as a grocery mart with a very convenient drive through.

Antique tractors were a big part of the day that began at 12:30. Keith, his brother Wayne, John Atchison, and Russell Price all drove antique beauties celebrating Divernon’s agricultural heritage.

The celebration.

After the parade, Divernon alum and friends and family gathered around the Veteran’s Memorial for a drone picture acknowledging the 125-year mark. The photographer hoped to get 125 people in the picture.

While kids enjoyed bounce houses, food was consumed, music played, and friends met up and told tall tales.

While Keith met up with former Divernon schoolmates, my friend Linda Spanberger visiting from Chicago met up with Debbie Ladage and I at the event. The three of us went to Lincoln Land Community College together and worked at what was once a Divernon hotspot, the Schaad Shack.

The day was all about memories, remembering and making new ones. While many of the classmates were remembering their glory days of yesteryear, others of us were mistaking children for our former selves and embracing the glory of grandchildren.

Have you been to an event that emoted feelings like these in the recent past?