Author Allen Sircy, known as the American Hauntstorian, is breathing new life into one of Louisville’s most chilling urban legends with his new novel, “Below the Trestle.” The new book delves into the terrifying backstory and origins of the Pope Lick Goatman, the half-man, half-beast creature said to haunt the woods and train trestle at Pope Lick Creek.
For generations, whispers of the Goatman have captivated and frightened locals. Theories about a circus freak escaping a train wreck or an unholy offspring luring victims to their doom have become a cornerstone of local folklore. Sircy’s novel takes these legends and weaves them into a gripping narrative that explores the tragedy and terror behind the myth.
“I’ve always been fascinated with the legendary Goatman who supposedly throws people from the train trestle there in the park,” says Sircy. “I wanted to explore that folklore, taking pieces of the stories I’d heard for years and molding them into a really fun and wild story that gives the creature a definitive origin.”
The novel follows a group of teenagers whose camping trip near the infamous trestle turns into a nightmare, connecting their modern-day horror to a tragic circus train derailment decades earlier. “Below the Trestle” is a thrilling journey into the heart of a Louisville legend, packed with suspense, historical detail, and unforgettable characters.
“Below the Trestle” is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.