Along a quiet rural road north of Gresham, Oregon, drivers often notice a tall, slender wooden tower standing at the end of a driveway. About fifteen feet high, the structure has beige siding, a small pitched roof, and a glass panel facing the road. It isn’t a treehouse, feeder, or mailbox—it’s something much more practical. Locals call it a “driveway periscope.”
Many rural homes sit along roads where thick trees or hilly terrain make it difficult to see approaching cars. While some homeowners install mirrors across the street, one Oregon resident found a more creative solution. Using a simple set of angled mirrors, much like a submarine periscope, the tower allows drivers to see if any vehicles are coming before pulling out onto the main road.
The top mirror captures the view of traffic, and the lower mirror reflects it down to a viewing panel near the bottom. There’s no electricity or complicated system involved—just clever physics and problem-solving. Its beige siding and modest roof help it blend naturally into the rural landscape. Many passersby mistake it for a watchtower or even a birdhouse until they look closer.
The unique idea has recently gone viral online, as people share photos and videos of the mysterious structure. What started as a personal safety fix has become a symbol of hands-on ingenuity and creativity. In an age when technology is often seen as the only solution, the Oregon driveway periscope proves that simple ideas, built with care and logic, can still make life safer and easier.