(December 10, 2021 update: originally published October 31, 2021, I took it down after the author, Aaron, asked me to for personal reasons. But then he said I could put it back up so… here it is! Enjoy!)
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(This is a guest piece written by my good friend Aaron, who goes by @devilspalm16 on twitter. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did, and happy Halloween!)
For many young American children and young teenagers, there exists a certain period in their lives where they start to experience the full supernatural elements of childhood practices and traditions. We grow up putting on silly costumes and walking around our neighborhoods going door to door with our parents to receive treats every Halloween. Eventually, that particular novelty fades away as we enter adolescence, but our desire for danger, excitement, and spectacular spooks crescendo to our fullest heights in our late teens and early twenties. Such is the purported origins of one cryptid creature based out of the wild suburbs of Louisville, Kentucky.
One can find an apt description of the monster within the pages of The Louisville Encyclopedia, which states:
“A half-man, half-goat creature has been rumored to live under the Norfolk Southern Railroad trestle across Pope Lick Creek and S Pope Lick Rd. near Fisherville in eastern Jefferson County. Stories of encounters have abounded for more than three generations and have served as the mood-setter for multiple romantic encounters between teenage boys and girls, many involving alcohol and tests of "bravery" that require climbing onto the trestle. According to the legend, the creature hypnotizes trespassers into venturing out onto the trestle, thus luring them to their death before an oncoming train. Several people have been killed either on the trestle or by falling from it, and many more have been injured.” [1]
A simple enough explanation, one which seems to have its origins in a number of satanic rituals and creatures such as Baphomet, albeit one with a more country tinged flair. While the satanic angle seems like a possible explanation, there exists a much more obvious origin for the creature.
There exists an old children’s fairy tale which details three goats attempting to cross a bridge, which is guarded by a fearsome troll who wishes to devour any man or creature which dares to traverse his bridge. The story is simple enough; first goat is the smallest and halfway through crossing the bridge, he’s stopped by the troll, but through clever charisma convinces the troll that he’s much too scrawny and there will be bigger goats after him. The troll retreats and allows the smallest goat safe passage across the bridge. A second, medium sized goat comes along, and the whole ordeal repeats a second time, with the goat promising an even bigger meal for the troll. The troll, once again, allows the medium goat safe passage across the bridge. Finally, the very last goat, the largest of them all, is then forced to confront the troll head on (who by this point, is starving and ravished) easily defeating the troll, headbutting it into the waters under the bridge. A simple enough story, fit for children, surely this would be a plausible explanation for the origins of the Pope Lick Monster!
Alas, one would be surprised to learn that the first English translation came in 1859 in Popular Tales from the Norse by G.W. Dascent and it was also included in the shorter, illustrated edition in 1862, A Selection from the Norse Tales for the use of children.[2] While there’s very little in the way of Norwegian and/or Scandinavian ancestry in Louisville, there exists a sizable German population[3] which could account for the spread of the rhyme. Another possible source for genesis would be a children’s phonograph record produced by Scholastic in the 1960s.[4] But these are merely explanations that a non-native of Louisville might have.
Unsurprisingly, Louisville’s claim to fame has been the Kentucky Derby, which has been held annually at Churchill Downs since 1875. But while Churchill downs officially opened in 1875, Louisville had a much older and stranger racing tradition: goat racing. Two alleys ran parallel to Main Street: Billy Goat Strut to the north and Nanny Goat Strut to the south. Each alley featured races featuring their respective namesakes.[5] While the alleys are adjacent to a neighborhood in Louisville known as Butchertown, and there’s pictorial evidence of numerous types of animals paraded down those streets to the slaughterhouses in Butchertown.[6]
As the industrial waste and smog of the 19th century eased into the radioactive tinges of the 20th century, the legend of the Pope Lick Monster began to take hold. Within the confines of the legend, the monster haunts a specific railroad trestle which is located near the intersection of Taylorsville Road and South Pope Lick Road. Half the apparent appeal has been the imposing train trestle, which has stood overlooking the area since 1929. The trestle, which is still used regularly today, spans nearly 800 feet and is about 100 feet tall. [7] Another source, The Parklands, cites the trestle being built in the late 1800’s. [8] The site, Bridgehunter.com lists the building date as 1925. [9]
By the 1960’s, numerous residents of the nearby city of Jeffersontown (known colloquially as J-Town) attested to first hearing about it during their teenage years. “I first heard of it in the early 1960’s,” said Mary Ruckriegel, the wife of J-town Mayor Daniel Ruckriegel. “When I started dating Dan, the kids were always talking about it, especially during Halloween. I don’t know if it was a figment of someone’s imagination or what.”[10] The legend then continued to persist up through the 1980s, when it caught the attention of Louisville native, Ron Schildknecht who decided to film and produce a film around the phenomenon.
Schildknecht, a Western Kentucky University graduate, began working on the film in 1985. [11] The film itself has a rather simplistic plotline, consisting of a group of three bored teenagers ditching a football game to investigate the trestle and experience the legend of the monster themselves.[12] According to the producer, the shooting itself was fraught with danger and tragedy.
“The first death that I knew about happened one week after we started filming,” Schildknecht said. “We started it (the film) in April 1986, and we shot about four or five days and got as much as we could,” he said. “And one week later a kid fell off and died three weeks later of multiple injuries. “It gave me more of a reason why the film should be made.” [12]
Because of concerns for safety and threats of lawsuits, Schildknecht screened his film, the day before the preview, for railroad officials and a mother who less than a year earlier had lost her son to the trestle. “She told me that ever since he was killed on the trestle she had been trying to envision what he went through the last moments of his life,” Schildknecht said. “And it wasn’t until watching the film until she really understood how he felt before he died. I guess it’s a compliment in a bizarre sense.”[13]
Schildknecht’s site about the film has a number of local newspaper articles describing the lore of the legend as well as the accounts of outrage and fear among residents, particularly attorneys and spokespeople from the owner of the trestle: Norfolk Southern Corp. It’s a fascinating read and one can even purchase a dvd of the movie which includes a number of bonus features.
I can be settled down
And be doing just fine
Until I hear that old train
Rolling down the line
-Hank Williams - Ramblin’ Man, extrapolated by Slint on Nosferatu Man
Even after the film’s release, with dire, obvious warnings bookending the story, the goatman under the trestle persists to this day. Legend or no, the Pope Lick Monster may have claimed more lives than most myths.[14] In a few accounts, including in the Schildknecht film, people have survived the encounter on the trestle by hanging on to the edge as a train passes by. Such was the case for an Ohioian couple in 2016, where the unnamed man survived by doing such that, but his girlfriend, Roquel Bain, 26, was struck by the oncoming train and fell 90 feet to her death.[15]
The most recent death was Savanna Bright, 15, who was stuck by an oncoming train on the trestle and also fell to her death in 2019. [16] She was accompanied by a companion who also suffered serious injuries, and was in critical condition as per the Courier-Journal article. The Courier Journal reported in 2016 that a retired train engineer who regularly drove down the old track, Wayne Gentry, was involved in 43 collisions during his 34-year career with Norfolk Southern, only one of which was a suicide. [17] Furthermore, within the same article, Jeffersontown Fire Chief Sean F. Dreisbach said he can recall at least half a dozen accidents that involved the tracks, and most of those cases involved teenagers. [18]
With dozens of deaths attributed to the lure of the goat man and the obvious dangers of the trestle, one must wonder what does he look like? What otherworldly powers does he have? Where did he come from? Why does he hang around in this specific spot of the city? Such questions and mysteries compel us to create fantastical stories to explain quite tragic and foolhardy deaths of thrillseekers hoping to catch a glimpse of the creature.
There’s a number of unattributed origins for the creature. One claims he’s a deranged, disfigured circus freak who was mad at society who got struck by a train one night and has laid claim to the trestle as a haunting ground.[19] But most accounts claim he’s just some half goat/half sheep/half man creature that sprung up and lives around the trestle. There’s even claims of him jumping onto passing cars from the trestle and wielding a bloody axe in his hands. [20] There’s also claims that he has glowing red eyes that reflect in the dark as well.
Local Historian David Domine details a further number of origin stories for the monster.
"The goat man arose as a tale of a local farmer back in the day. Tortured a herd of goats for Satan and signed a contract with him and forfeited his soul. In the process he was converted into this terrible creature that was sent to live under the trestle seeking revenge on people!"
Another popular legend Domine shared claims, "A circus train was crossing the trestle one day and it derailed and in one of the cars there was a kind of circus freak."[21]
Within the confines of a youtube comment section for Louisville Urban Explorer’s video Pope Lick Train Trestle - A Kentucky Urban Legend, a user by the name of Reagan L. details his experiences in the area as a native.
“Back in the 1970s and 80s there used to be a small shack about 50 yards east from the center of the trestle near the creek that was supposed to be where the 'sheep man' or 'goat man' resided. There used to be a very strange farm further up Pope lick road, the address was 2112, it was called 'The Four Winds' named after the four winds that were held back by the four angels of the apocolypse[sic]. The farm was located on Pope Lick road near I-64 but on the south side of the interstate. The house and buildings were all painted red and had black roofs and the fence around it was black as well. At the enterance[sic] to the farm were many signs, all hand painted, warning 'trespassers will be persecuted' ect. It was a very creepy place back then, but always a good area to bring a date! It had been thought that is was a place for satanic worship or witchcraft practiced in the area. I had also heard from a man in my old neighborhood who was an arrow head collector that a very old indian village was found west of the trestle area in the late 1960s. It was dug and most of what was found was taken to a museum downtown, but he was able to find arrowheads all along that creek after they had finished their dig. That area is rich in creepy dept. I think the trestle walk was started as a dare by J-Town and Fern Creek H.S. students, back then the train traffic was more frequent, and it was always to be done after dark. In the winter, when all the leaves are down and you look South and a train is approaching, there is a rail crossing with lights that flash. I believe that the legend of the Goatman's eyes glaring red was actually that crossing lights seen in the distance before a train was heard.” [22]
It seems the legend has only grown stronger in the age of social media, with more and more coverage of the phenomenon appearing on newspapers as far reaching as the Washington Post [23] and a handful of youtube videos detailing the area surrounding the trestle, with hosts walking around it narrating the story to their views. Some will even post drone footage of the trestle from the air, showing off the copious amounts of red and brown splotches of rust (or perhaps blood from the goatman’s victims?) on video.
In 2011, the city of Louisville enacted a plan to create a series of parks in the western borders of Jefferson county called the Parklands. The Parklands has revitalized the formerly wild areas with a number of pedestrian friendly walking trails and greater vehicle access for the nearby creek systems of Pope’s Lick and Floyd’s Fork. That journey began about a dozen years ago (approximately 2006-author’s note) when Dan Jones, Parklands of Floyds Fork founder and CEO, was included in one of a series of meetings held by Bill Juckett of the Olmsted Parks Conservancy and Bridget Sullivan of Metro Parks. [24]
Today, when one passes under the trestle, there’s a small pedestrian rest area, complete with an awning, for visitors to look out at the imposing trestle. Behind the awning, there’s a chain link fence posted with numerous warning signs, no trespassing signs, and danger signs to dissuade any will be thrill seekers from scaling the fence and attempting to cross the trestle in hopes of seeing the alleged Goatman himself. Tragically, there’s a small memorial for young Savanna Bright, complete with flowers, pictures, and crosses situated at the base of one of the supports for the trestle. As you lean back against the concrete under the awning, peering through the rusted X beams of the trestle to look out at the dark waters of Pope Lick across the road, maybe a sound will be heard in the distance. A small cry of a child, or some sticks snapping, leaves brushing. Turning around in a fit of paranoia, the horn of a train will be heard above you. As you look up at the passing train, the roar of the engine rushing by, the clicker clacker of the tracks rattling above, the deathly wrail of the trestle straining to support a train after nearly 100 years of service, perhaps that will be enough to ensure you fear and respect the Goatman. His red eyes will be peering at you in the distance, a dire warning for others to stay away and heed the senseless deaths within his domain.
Dedicated to the families who’ve suffered from the legend.[25]
Savanna Bright (15) - 2019 - Two females were hit by train and knocked off the side. Savanna was pronounced dead at the scene, another unnamed female was in critical condition. \(I can't find an update about 2nd female)*
Roquel Bain (26) - 2016 - Was with boyfriend, Roquel was hit by train and fell to her death. Boy friend survived by dangling from side
Nicholas Jewell (19) - 2000 - 19 year old falls to death after encountering train.
James Ratterman (35) - 1994 man trapped underneath overturned ATV stuck on the trestle died after being struck by train. He was allegedly deer poaching.
Michael Wells (14) - 1994 - managed to tuck his body under the track to avoid being hit by an oncoming train.
Christina Butts (19) - 1993 - Christina along with two other young women and three young men were almost across the trestle when they saw the light from the oncoming train. They tried to run the opposite way, but they all tripped and fell. All managed to survive with minor injuries by climbing down onto the metal parts of the trestle. Christina, too frightened to move, was rescued by firefighters, the ladder almost not being tall enough to reach.
Grady (19) - 1992 - Grady, a student at Miami University, was on the trestle about 1:45 a.m. when he saw a train coming. He held onto a railroad tie but lost his grip, falling about 100 feet
Jack “J.C.” Charles Bahm II (17) - 1987 - struck and killed by a train February 18, 1987 while crossing the trestle.
David Wayne Bryant (19) - 1986 - sustained injuries in 1986 when he jumped from the trestle to dodge an oncoming train, passed away from those injuries in May 1987.
John K. List - 1985 - John K. List was killed on June 1, 1985, when he was struck by a Southern Railroad Company train. List was on the trestle with friend, Randall Graves, and had been on the trestle shooting crows. Graves was able to hang on a cross tie while the train passed, saving his life, List was within 30 feet of the end of the trestle when he was struck and killed.
Sean Fleischman (20) - 1984 - survived injuries sustained from a fall from the span of elevated track.
Charles Jack Bahm II (17) - 1968 - Struck and killed by oncoming train as he and two companions attempted to cross the trestle on a dare.
[1] Kleber, J. (2000.) Pope Lick Monster. In J. E. Kleber (Ed.), The Encyclopedia of Louisville (2000 ed). University Press of Kentucky.
[2] Kerziouk, O. (19 October 2015.) The Goats That Got Away. European Studies Blog. https://blogs.bl.uk/european/2015/10/the-goats-that-got-away.html
[3] Statistical Atlas. Ancestry In Louisville, Kentucky. https://statisticalatlas.com/place/Kentucky/Louisville/Jefferson-County-metro-government-(balance)/Ancestry
[4] Rubenstein, A. (1967) The Three Billy-Goats Gruff [Narrated by Bob Thomas]. 7” 45RPM Vinyl Record, Scholastic Records - CC 0612.
[5] Angel’s Envy. “The Strange History of Billy Goat Strut Alley.” Angel’s Envy. https://www.angelsenvy.com/guide/inside-angels-envy/the-strange-history-of-billy-goat-strut-alley/ Accessed October 30th, 2021.
[6]Klayko, B. (1 February 2010.) Butchertown History Book Reveals Neighborhood’s Hidden Heritage. Broken Sidewalks Blog. https://brokensidewalk.com/2010/butchertown-history-book-reveals-neighborhoods-hidden-heritage/
[7]Schildknecht, R. (2020.) The Legend Of The Pope Lick Monster. Ron Schildknecht Germantown Films. https://ronschildknecht.com/thelegendofthepopelickmonster
[8] The Parklands (29 September, 2011.) The Pope Lick Monster. The Parklands. https://theparklands.org/the-pope-lick-monster/ Accessed October 30th, 2021.
[9] Bridgehunter (Unknown date.) NS-Pope Lick Creek Viaduct. Bridgehunter. https://bridgehunter.com/ky/jefferson/s-pope-lick-road/
[10] Schildknecht, R. (2020.) The Legend Of The Pope Lick Monster. Ron Schildknecht Germantown Films. https://ronschildknecht.com/thelegendofthepopelickmonster
[11] Ibid
[12] Germantown Films. (September 14, 2020.) The Legend of the Pope Lick Monster. [Video.] Youtube.
[13] Schildknecht, R. (2020.) The Legend Of The Pope Lick Monster. Ron Schildknecht Germantown Films. https://ronschildknecht.com/thelegendofthepopelickmonster
[14] Grundhauser, E. (Unknown date.) Pope Lick Trestle Bridge. Atlas Obscura. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/pope-lick-trestle-bridge Accessed October 30th, 2021
[15] Warren, E. (April 24, 2016.) Tourist Dies on search for Pope Lick Monster. Courier-Journal. https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2016/04/24/tourist-dies-search-pope-lick-monster/83470646/
[16] Ladd, S (May 28th, 2019.) 15-year-old girl dies in yet another train accident on the Pope Lick trestle. Courier-Journal. https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/local/2019/05/28/pope-lick-trestle-train-accident-kills-15-year-old-girl/1256313001/
[17] Ibid
[18] Ibid
[19] The Carpetbagger (August 30, 2018) The Pope Lick Monster AKA The Kentucky Goatman. [Video.] Youtube.
[20] Ibid
[21] Gee, D. (May. 10, 2014) Numerous urban legends tell of Louisville’s Goat Man. WAVE 3 News. https://www.wave3.com/story/25479436/numerous-urban-legends-tell-of-louisvilles-goat-man/
[22] Louisville Urban Explorer. (October 29th, 2016.) Pope Lick Train Trestle - A Kentucky Urban Legend. [Comment] Youtube
[23] Guarino, B. (April 26, 2016.) Couple’s curiosity about Kentucky’s ‘Goatman’ legend takes fatal turn on railroad trestle. Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/04/26/couples-curiosity-about-kentuckys-goatman-legend-takes-fatal-turn-on-railroad-trestle/
[24] Hill, B. (September 24th, 2016) Parklands creation is impressive, if not remarkable. Courier-Journal. https://www.courier-journal.com/story/opinion/contributors/2016/09/24/parklands-creation-impressive-if-not-remarkable/90280500/
[25] cyntrix (2019) Pope Lick Trestle. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/Kentucky/comments/dl28wv/pope_lick_trestle/