If you’ve ever driven along a quiet country road north of Gresham, Oregon, you might have spotted something unusual:
A tall, narrow wooden tower — about 15 feet high — standing beside a driveway like a silent sentinel.
It has:
Siding and a small pitched roof
A glass panel at eye level
No wires, lights, or power source
It’s not a mailbox.
It’s not a birdhouse.
It’s not a forgotten art project.
So… what is it?
Locals know it as the “driveway periscope” — a brilliant, low-tech solution to a common rural problem: poor visibility at dangerous intersections.
And once you understand how it works, you’ll wonder why every hidden driveway doesn’t have one.
🔍 The Problem: Hidden Driveways in Rural Areas
In rural communities, many homes sit back from the road, with driveways that meet unmarked, winding roads.
Often, hills, trees, fences, or curves block the view of oncoming traffic.
This creates a dangerous situation:
Drivers can’t see cars approaching
Oncoming drivers don’t expect sudden turns
Accidents become more likely
The usual fix?
👉 A convex (fish-eye) mirror across the street.
But mirrors have limits:
They can be broken or vandalized
They distort distance
They’re hard to see in rain, snow, or fog
So one inventive homeowner came up with a better idea.
🛠️ The Solution: A DIY Periscope Tower
Meet the driveway periscope — a hand-built wooden tower that works just like a submarine’s periscope, using simple physics and angled mirrors.
How It Works:
Has a small viewing window facing the road
Captures the view of approaching traffic
Inside the tower
Two angled mirrors (one at the top, one near the bottom)
Reflect the image downward at a 45-degree angle
Bottom glass panel
At driver’s-eye level by the driveway
Shows a clear, real-time view of the road — without stepping outside the car
✅ No electricity.
✅ No moving parts.
✅ Just light, reflection, and smart design.
💡 Why It’s So Brilliant
✅
Passive & maintenance-free
Works 24/7, no power needed
✅
Protected from weather
Enclosed structure prevents fogging and damage
✅
Clearer than a mirror
Less distortion, better depth perception
✅
Safe for drivers
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