Along a quiet rural road north of Gresham, Oregon, a curious structure has caught the attention of passing drivers. Standing about fifteen feet tall with beige siding, a small roof, and a glass panel facing the street, it looks at first like a treehouse or birdhouse. In reality, it serves a much more practical purpose—locals refer to it as a “driveway periscope.”

Many homes in rural Oregon sit along narrow, wooded roads where trees or uneven terrain make it hard to spot oncoming traffic. While some residents rely on roadside mirrors, one inventive homeowner took a different approach. By using the same principles as a submarine periscope, they built a tall tower that lets drivers see if the road is clear before pulling out of their driveway.