The Pope Lick Monster

The Pope Lick Monster is a legendary creature said to inhabit the area around a railroad trestle in the Fisherville neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky. Described as a human-goat hybrid, the creature allegedly lures people onto the trestle where they are struck by trains. The legend has tragically contributed to multiple real deaths.

Description

The Pope Lick Monster is described as having the body of a man with the legs and hooves of a goat. Some accounts add horns and a pale, deformed face. The creature is said to be covered in short hair and possess supernatural abilities.

According to legend, the monster uses hypnosis or mimicry to lure victims onto the railroad trestle. Once they are on the narrow bridge, with no escape route, a train appears and kills them. Other versions claim the monster simply attacks those who venture near its lair.

Origins

Several origin stories circulate. One claims the monster is a reincarnated farmer who sacrificed goats for Satanic power. Another suggests it is a circus freak who escaped and mutated after being exposed to toxic waste. A third version holds it is a hybrid creature created by a farmer who engaged in bestiality.

The legend may have originated as a warning to keep children away from the dangerous trestle.

The Trestle

The Pope Lick railroad trestle is a genuine hazard. The 772-foot-long bridge stands approximately 100 feet above Pope Lick Creek. It is still actively used by trains, and there is no walkway or escape route for pedestrians caught on the tracks.

Real Deaths

The legend has contributed to numerous deaths over the years. Thrill-seekers visiting the trestle to look for the monster have been struck by trains. In 2016, a woman was killed and her boyfriend injured when a train came while they were on the bridge looking for the creature.

Assessment

The Pope Lick Monster is a dangerous legend. Whether or not a creature lurks beneath the trestle, the trestle itself has claimed real lives. The legend serves as a grim reminder that some mysteries are best left uninvestigated.