LOBOC (Long Beach Orange County) Motorcycle Club records, 1964-2013

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Summary

Title:
LOBOC Motorcycle Club records
Dates:
1964-2013
Creators:
LOBOC Motorcycle Club
Abstract:
Administrative records, photographs, VHS tapes, buttons, uniforms, trophies, props, and other material, 1972-2013 (bulk), from the LOBOC (Long Beach Orange County) Motorcycle Club. Founded in Long Beach in 1972, LOBOC's original membership was made up of 17 members, mostly gay men. The materials document LOBOC's founding and its many activities, including beer busts, motorcycle runs, camp performances, membership meetings, and other social activities.
Extent:
45.4 Linear Feet 38 boxes and 2 oversize objects.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Box/folder #, or item name] LOBOC (Long Beach Orange County) Motorcycle Club Records, Coll2020-003, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection comprises administrative records, photographs, video recordings, realia, clothing, textiles, awards, trophies, and other material, bulk 1972-2013, from the LOBOC (Long Beach Orange County) Motorcycle Club. LOBOC Motorcycle Club was founded in Long Beach, California, in 1972, and held annual motorcycle runs and other social events during its 41 years in existence.

The Administrative Records and Photographs Series includes event programs, promotional material, meeting minutes, scripts, production files, financial records, membership records, and other material documenting LOBOC's many activities, including motorcycle runs, beer busts, member meetings, award ceremonies, and other social events.

The Audiovisual Materials Series primarily includes VHS videos documenting LOBOC and other motorcycle club events and performances.

The Realia Series includes buttons, show props, and other objects used for club promotion, or used for LOBOC-organized runs and show performances.

The Uniforms, Clothing, and Textiles Series includes leather outfits, T-shirts, flags, costumes, and other textiles from LOBOC. Included are original vests and jackets worn by early members of the club, which featured the club's signature turquoise, black, and white colors.

The Awards and Trophies Series includes plaques and trophies presented to or by LOBOC MC. In particular, this series includes a collection of custom-made plaster of paris trophies, created by Scott Moats, to fit the various themes for LOBOC's annual events.

Biographical / historical:

In the Fall of 1972, a group of motorcycle and leather enthusiasts began meeting at a leather bar, Jim's Corral in Long Beach, to discuss the prospect of forming a motorcycle club for gay men. By November, the group officially formed with the name LOBOC (Long Beach Orange County) Motorcycle Club, with a group of 17 charter members. Bob Hunt served as LOBOC's first president, along with Don McAlister as vice president, Bill Lee as secretary, Richard Baker as treasurer, and Bill Pearson as road captain.

During its first few months in operation, the group agreed to make turquoise, black, and white the official club colors. By Spring of 1973, LOBOC began making its first appearances at other motorcycle club events throughout the greater Los Angeles area. And in 1974, LOBOC organized its first overnight motorcycle run at Camp Marcella in Wrightwood. The club would go on to organize motorcycle runs every year after.

After 40 years in operation, LOBOC disbanded in March 2013.

Source: "LOBOC History," Box 1, Folder 14, Long Beach/Orange County Motorcycle Club Records, Coll2020-003, ONE Archives at the USC Libraries.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Ann Sherrod Russell on behalf of LOBOC, November 1, 2016.
Processing information:

Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the California State Library. Collection processed by Loni Shibuyama, 2024.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into five series: (Series 1) Administrative Records and Photographs; (Series 2) Audiovisual Material; (Series 3) Realia; (Series 4) Uniforms, Clothing and Textiles; and (Series 5) Awards and Trophies.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Loni Shibuyama
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-01-14 13:39:15 -0800 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred citation:

[Box/folder #, or item name] LOBOC (Long Beach Orange County) Motorcycle Club Records, Coll2020-003, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.

Location of this collection:
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90007, US
Contact:
(213) 821-2771
askone@usc.edu
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