The Pope Lick Monster
A half-man, half-goat creature lurks beneath a railroad trestle. It lures victims onto the tracks. Multiple deaths have occurred. Is the monster real, or just a deadly legend?
Beneath the Norfolk Southern Railway trestle over Pope Lick Creek in Louisville, Kentucky, legend says a terrifying creature waits. Part man, part goat, the Pope Lick Monster has been blamed for luring victims to their deaths on the tracks above. Multiple fatalities have made this one of America’s deadliest cryptid legends.
The Legend
According to local tradition, the Pope Lick Monster is described as:
- Part human, part goat (satyr-like)
- Muscular, humanoid body
- Powerful goat legs
- Horns protruding from a grotesque face
- Pale skin
- Wide, hypnotic eyes
Origins Stories
Multiple origin stories circulate:
Circus Freak: A freak from a circus train that derailed on the trestle.
Farmer’s Son: A farmer made a deal with the devil and the resulting offspring became the monster.
Cult Experiment: The creature was created through dark rituals performed beneath the trestle.
Reincarnation: A goat farmer who abused his animals returned as a hybrid creature.
Methods of Attack
The monster supposedly:
- Uses hypnosis or a siren-like voice to lure victims onto the trestle
- Chases people onto the tracks where they’re trapped
- Attacks with an axe
- Mimics loved ones’ voices to draw victims close
Real Deaths
The Pope Lick Monster is associated with very real tragedies. Multiple people have died on the trestle:
2016: A young woman was struck by a train while apparently “monster hunting.” She died from her injuries.
2019: Another death occurred on the trestle.
Numerous other injuries have occurred over the decades. The trestle is still active, trains are frequent, and the height makes escape nearly impossible.
The Trestle
The Norfolk Southern Railway trestle is genuinely dangerous:
- Nearly 100 feet high
- Very narrow with no escape platforms
- Active rail line with regular traffic
- No warning of approaching trains until too late
- Trespassing is illegal
Whether the monster exists or not, the location itself has killed people.
Investigation
The Pope Lick Monster has been the subject of:
- Local news investigations
- Paranormal research
- A short film (“The Legend of the Pope Lick Monster,” 1988)
- Increased security and “No Trespassing” signs
The Real Monster?
Some researchers suggest the true purpose of the legend:
- To keep children away from the dangerous trestle
- A warning story that became folklore
- An explanation for tragic accidents
- A deterrent that didn’t work
Ironically, the legend may attract more people to the trestle than it deters.
Sightings
Despite the likely folkloric origin, people report encounters:
- Seeing a figure beneath the trestle
- Hearing strange sounds at night
- Feeling watched in the area
- Glimpsing something not quite human
Whether these are genuine experiences, imagination, or the power of suggestion remains unknown.