Hubert Ganter, a popular chief forester in Villingen, whose thinking was far ahead of his time, founded the "Aussichtsthurmgenossenschaft" (Observation Tower Cooperative) in April 1887. Thirty citizens and the city each invested 200 marks to build an observation tower on Wannenhöhe. On September 16, 1888, the thirty-meter-high iron tower, manufactured by the Grüninger bell foundry in Villingen, was ceremoniously opened. In 2001, the city of Villingen-Schwenningen renovated it with the help of the "Save the Observation Tower" campaign initiated by honorary citizen Ewald Merkle, and reopened it on September 16, 2001. Three sets of fifty steps lead to the three platforms. From the very top, there is a magnificent view over Fillingen, the Black Forest, and the Baar region, all the way to the Alps. However, the narrow spiral staircase up to the top of the tower is not for those with a head for heights.