The Dixon's Top Hat Sit-In

Over a decade before some of the most notable sit-ins of the Civil Rights Movement, the DePorres Club had begun to engage in community activism and protest. In the spring of 1948, Denny Holland, Jack Mulhall, Bertha Calloway, and James Calloway visited Dixon's Top Hat, a local restaurant close to Creighton's campus and the Douglas County Courthouse. However, after sitting at the restaurant for an extended period, the group was not served. While Holland and Mulhall were initially confused by the delayed service, the Calloways, a Black couple, explained that Black customers were not welcome at the restaurant. After leaving without service, Holland notified Father Markoe of the incident.

At the next Club meeting, Father Markoe told members about the incident at Dixon's Top Hat. Initially, Markoe suggested visiting the restaurant after the meeting, but he canceled the meeting and led members directly to the restaurant instead. Thirty Club members, many of whom were Black, walked to Dixon's and sat themselves throughout the dining area. The manager explained to Markoe that he did not serve Black customers because he did not want to lose his white customer base. Markoe held his ground, stating that the Club members would not leave until they were served in the spots that they sat in. Eventually, Top Hat's manager reluctantly agreed, but he was angry and told the Club not to return.

The DePorres Club's first community action effort was a success. While only lasting a few hours and not resulting in any concrete policy changes, it was clear that the DePorres Club had the potential to make a large impact within the boundaries of North Omaha. 

For more information, see Holland (2014), "Ahead of Their Time," Pages 34-35.