The Mystery Tower Beside an Oregon Driveway

Drivers traveling a quiet rural road north of Gresham, Oregon, often notice a tall, slender wooden tower standing at the end of a driveway.

About 15 feet high, the structure features beige siding, a small pitched roof, and a lower glass panel facing the driveway. It’s not a deer feeder, treehouse, or mailbox—it’s something far more inventive.

Locals call it a driveway periscope.

A Clever Fix for a Common Rural Problem

Many rural homes sit along unmarked roads with limited visibility due to hills, fences, or thick trees. Homeowners often solve this by installing convex mirrors across the street. But one Oregon resident took that idea a step further.

Using a set of angled mirrors—much like a submarine periscope—this handmade tower lets drivers see approaching traffic before pulling onto the road. The upper mirrors capture the view of oncoming cars, while the lower mirror reflects that image down to the window at the base.

No electricity. No high-tech gadgets. Just physics and smart design.

Built With Character

The structure’s beige siding and small roof help it blend naturally into the rural landscape. From a distance, it could pass for a watchtower or a large birdhouse. Its unusual look sparks plenty of curiosity among passersby, who often guess at its purpose: “Is that a fire lookout?” “Maybe a fancy chicken coop?”

What makes the driveway periscope stand out is its homemade charm. The builder didn’t overthink it. They saw a problem—and built a solution with simple materials and practical thinking.

From Rural Road to Viral Fame

The driveway periscope has since caught the internet’s attention. A TikTok video showcasing the tower has racked up thousands of views, with users speculating about its purpose and admiring its creative design.

Though the idea might seem novel, the principle isn’t new. Military and industrial engineers have used periscope-style viewing systems for decades. What’s rare is seeing this technique applied so effectively to everyday rural driving.

A Tribute to Hands-On Ingenuity

This roadside invention represents more than just clever craftsmanship—it’s a reminder of what creativity can do. With only a few boards, two mirrors, and a bright idea, one Oregon resident solved a visibility problem without permits or consultants.

In a world that often leans on technology for every solution, the driveway periscope proves that sometimes, the simplest ideas still work best.