The idea of erecting a monument to Otto von Bismarck had been mooted as far back as 1863 by retired Prussian officer Friedrich Schröter (1820–1888), a wealthy landowner in nearby Wättrisch (Sokolniki) and an admirer of the Iron Chancellor.

A site was picked for construction of the tower: the south face of Johnsberg Hill near the neighbouring village of Ober-Johnsdorf, part of which was owned by Schröter (1,100 acres).

Construction began on 15 April 1869, carried out by master mason Bernhardt from Nimptsch (Niemcza) under the supervision of a foreman named Rademacher.

During World War II, the lower part of the tower sustained damage from an artillery shell.

In May 1992, the marble slabs were removed and all references to Bismarck, who had particularly strong anti-Polish sentiment and even called for the extermination of Poles,[1] were erased.