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Pope Lick Monster

Last reviewed Oct 25, 2026 Next review Nov 9, 2026

Painted landscape: old steel railroad trestle over a wooded Kentucky creek in fog — AI rendition of the setting, not an actual photo.

Pope Lick Trestle, in Louisville, reputed home of the Pope Lick Monster. — Pope Lick Trestle, in Louisville, reputed home of the Pope Lick Monster · Ihcoyc · CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons) · Image source · License

A goat-human creature said to live beneath a railway trestle in Louisville, Kentucky.

Folklore Verdict: A dangerous legend; there's no creature, and the trestle is off limits.

Region: North America · US East & Midwest · United States
First reports: 20th-century Louisville legend

Key sightings

The legend has led people onto the active trestle, where some have been killed by trains.

Best evidence

Legend only. The trestle is active railway property.

Sources

Wikipedia: Pope Lick Monster ↗