Cryptid Corner: Pope Lick Monster

When I was in elementary school, I found a book in the library from author Daniel Cohen entitled "Monsters You've Never Heard Of". That was my introduction into a world of mystery that I have loved ever since. The notion that there are honestly monsters in this world is both terrifying and exciting. Since then, I've read many more books on the subject and with the advances made by the internet, there is so much more information to go on. I've decided to write about some of the stories that fascinate me the most. While there are so many cryptids, some are more interesting than others.

There are a lot of skeptics out there. I'm not going to try to sway you in any manner. If you believe, great. If you don't, that's great, too. As long as you find it interesting and maybe worthy of a chill or two.

 

Having family from Kentucky, the tale of the Pope Lick Monster is certainly an interesting one. The monster has origins as either a mistreated human-goat hybrid circus performer who vows revenge or a man who was reincarnated after sacrificing goats in exchange for otherworldly power. But what is believed for sure is that the monster is part man and part goat.

The creature lives in the Pope Lick Trestle in Louisville, Kentucky. As with the origins of the creature, there are many tales of who the monster attacks. One is by using hypnosis or mimicing a familiar voice, the monster is able to lure you onto the bridge to be killed by an oncoming train. Other tales describe the use of a bloody axe. What might be most terrifying is the notion that if you see the creature, you will be so afraid that you will jump off the bridge.

 

The bridge is still in use today, which causes concern for many railroad officials as there is quite a bit of danger from the trains for those looking to see the monster for themselves. Personally, I think that the tales of the creature itself would be enough to drive people away, but as there is an eight foot wall constructed to alleviate concern, I suppose I'm wrong.

So, if you find yourself out in the Gateway to the South by the ol' Pope Lick Trestle and you hear a familiar voice call out to you, it might not be a bad idea to run the other way.