Descriptive SummaryJohnson, Lollie.Lollie Johnson Papers1940, 1955, 1972-2002Materials are in English.MS 1172 linear feet (approximately 1,500 items)University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special CollectionsLollie Johnson was a successful bartender and nightclub owner in San Antonio. The success of her nightclub businesses was credited to her total commitment to the San Antonio Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered community, which made up the majority of her customer base. Lollie was also active in local community groups.The Lollie Johnson Papers include newspaper clippings, correspondence, printed materials, photographs, negatives, a small notebook, a wooden plaque for the Hypothesis Club, menus, programs, t-shirts, shoes, caps, a stained glass window from the Noo Zoo Company, Teleservice Resources records, Lollie’s résumé and her obituary. Biographical NoteLaura Lollie Johnson (1939-2001) was born in Beaumont, Texas, but moved to San Antonio in her youth and graduated from Brackenridge High School in 1956. A divorced mother of three, she worked for almost 10 years as a bartender before opening the Kali Club in 1971 (it closed in 1973). Many other bars followed, including the Hypothesis Club (1972-1976), The Zoo Club (1974-1979), Faces (1979-1983), and her longest running establishment, the Noo Zoo Company (1983-1993). During the 1980s, she also owned several smaller clubs with shorter life spans: LZ’s (opened 1982 closing date unknown), Broadway Cabaret (ca. early 1980s, exact dates unknown), and L.J.’s Place (1982-unknown).
The success of her nightclub businesses was credited to her total commitment to the San Antonio Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered community, which made up the majority of her customer base. Lollie was also active in the local community groups, including Alamo Human Rights Committee (co-chair in 1984), Lavender Alcade (1976), and 1st Gay Conference in San Antonio. Additionally, she served as secretary on the Board of Directors of the San Antonio AIDS foundation (1988-1992) and was treasurer (1989-1992) and vice president (1986-1989) of the San Antonio Tavern Guild. She was included in the first edition of Notable Women of Texas (1982).
In 1994, having ended her nightclub ventures, Lollie became a Customer Service Representative for Teleservice Resources. In October 1995, she was promoted to supervisor and Resolution Agent for Teleservice Resources.
Scope and ContentsThe Lollie Johnson Papers include newspaper clippings, correspondence, printed materials, photographs, negatives, a small notebook, a wooden plaque for the Hypothesis Club, menus, programs, t-shirts, shoes, caps, a stained glass window from the Noo Zoo Company, Teleservice Resources records, Lollie’s résumé and her obituary. Photographs comprise the largest portion of the collection, recording Lollie’s family and friends, homes, clubs and vacations throughout her lifetime.
The photographs taken at her clubs show events such as Halloween parties, open-mic nights, New Year’s Eve parties, and female impersonator shows. Employees and bar patrons are well documented, as are her many house parties. Her t-shirt collection includes designs for special club events or work wear and for several of the local organizations in which she was active.
The collection also includes a book of poems written and assembled by her daughter, Cindy Milina, and photographs of her children Cindy Milina, Marleen Shaw, and Robin Johnson (Robin is the best documented of the three).
Access RestrictionsThis collection is housed at UTSA's Main Campus and must be accessed via the John Peace Library Special Collections reading room. To request access, please use the Collections Request Form.
Usage RestrictionsPermission to publish from the Lollie Johnson Papers must be obtained from University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections.
Preferred Citation[Identification of item], Lollie Johnson Papers, MS 117, University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections.
Acquisition InformationMaterials in this collection were donated by Cindy Milina, daughter of Lollie Johnson, in March of 2002 (Acc. 2002-012 and 2002-017).
Processing InformationProcessed by Traci JoLeigh Drummond,
February 2004.
Index TermsPersonsJohnson, Lollie.TopicsBusinesswomen--Texas--San Antonio.Gay and Lesbian Community--Texas--San Antonio. Lesbians--Texas--San Antonio. Nightclubs--Texas--San Antonio.LocationsSan Antonio (Tex.)--Social life and customs.Genres/formatsClippings.Correspondence.Photographs.T-shirts.Detailed Description of the CollectionManuscripts and Printed Materials11Biographical Information, 1983-200112Hypothesis Club Plaque, circa 197213Faces Bar, 1979-198114LJ’z Bar, 1982, undated15Broadway Cabaret, 1983, undated16Noo Zoo Nightclub, 1983-199117Alternatives, 1986-198718Gay and Lesbian Yellow Pages and other printed materials, 1990, 2002, undated19Teleservice Resources, 1994-1997110Poetry by daughter Cindy Milina, undatedPhotographs111Lollie, 1940, 1955, 1974, 1994, undated112Lollie at HemisFair, 1968113Family and Personal, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s114Hypothesis Bar, 1973115Zoo Club and Faces (and other clubs), [1974-1983]116Zoo Club, 1976, undated117Family of Lollie Johnson, 1976, undated21Friends and Family, (1 of 2)1976-1983, undated 22Friends and Family, (2 of 2)1976-1983, undated 23Zoo Club – Contest, circa 197724[At Zoo Club], 197825Kenny Rogers Concert, circa 197826New Orleans Trips, circa 1978, April 198627Club/Nightlife, 1978-1982, 1990, undated28Faces Club, 197929Rodeo, 1979-1981, undated210Noo Zoo Co., circa 1980s211Awards Ceremony for Lollie, circa 1980s212Open Mic Night, circa 1980s213Lollie and Friend at Cancun 1900, circa 1980s214Vacations, 1982, undated215Bar Employees, 1982, undated216Charity Events, 1982, undated217Lollie at Home, 1982-1983, undated218Disney World, [1984]219At Home and at the Noo Zoo Company, [1985]31Las Vegas Trip[s], undated32Jesus Christ Superstar, undated33Negatives, undated34Lollie and friends at the beach, undatedTextiles and Artifacts4Las Vegas Hilton - Satin Jacket4We’re the People, Too – t-shirt, 19884Noo Zoo Company – t-shirt, blue, undated4Noo Zoo Company, Memorial Day Street Dance – t-shirt, lavender, 19854Gay Fiesta 1991: Stepping Out into the 90s – t-shirt, 19914Out is In: San Antonio Celebrates Pride Month – t-shirt, June 19914Germany – t-shirt, undated4Hypothesis Club, San Antonio, TX – t-shirt, poor condition, undated4Fiesta Commission – t-shirt, hot pink with aqua embroidery, undated4Brackenridge Girls Athletics – t-shirt, undated4Noo Zoo Company – work shirt, white with red stripes, undated4 “Miss Lollie” – baseball cap, pink, undated4Noo Zoo Company Street Dance 1986 – baseball cap, 19864Shoes – silver heels with faux rhinestone detail, undatedMapcaseNoo Zoo Company Stained Glass Window, undated