On the origin of the name Pfannenstiel remembers the plate (Inn sign) of the Vorderer Pfannenstiel restaurant: A pan containing pitch used to send smoke signals. In the 17th century or much earlier, the government of the city of Zürich established a system of to warn, in cases of emergency as threat of war, the neighboring Hochwachten on the Albis, near Forch, on Zürichberg, Käferberg, Bachtel, Uetliberg, and so on, by fire and smoke. The Pfannenstiel Hochwacht was located on the summit called Okenshöhe as from there numerous other Hochwachten were in direct sight. For the same reason, in 19th century Okenhöhe was uses for a triangulation point as other triangulation points can be measured. These measurements form the backbone of the national geographical survey. Nevertheless, the pan with the fire as sign of bad luck it's not the real origin of the term Pfannenstiel: It was first mentioned in documents of the year 1333, and it is assumed that the term points to a meadow and farmland nearby forming a panhandle.