Oscar Monnig Papers

Oscar Monnig inherited the Monnig Dry Goods Company from his father. He became president in 1976 and sold the company in 1980. He later donated his extensive collection of meteorites to Texas Christian University in 1987, which became the Oscar Monnig Meteorite Gallery.

The Monnig Dry Goods Company began in 1889 when William Monnig with his brothers, George and Otto arrived in Fort Worth. William acted as President and Treasurer, George became Vice President and secretary, and Otto took over the hardware department. Their store soon became one of the most successful retail operations in Fort Worth. By 1900, their store expanded into the wholesale business as well.

William Monnig had two sons, Otto and Oscar. When William died in 1947, Otto became President until Oscar took over in 1976. In 1980, the Monnig family sold the company as well as the family name.

Oscar Monnig developed a love for astronomy and interest in meteorites while a student at the University of Texas at Austin. He spent years pursuing his avocation, finding and collecting meteorites from around the United States. In 1987, he donated his collection of approximately 3,000 specimens from 400 different meteorites to Texas Christian University, fulfilling his lifelong wish to keep his collection in the city that had supported his family business. The Monnig Meteorite Collection is a lasting tribute to Oscar's long and successful career in meteoritics. It is housed in the Oscar Monnig Meteorite Gallery on the TCU campus.