Schlitterbahn New Braunfels celebrates the 50th year of entertaining Texans during the summer

Vintage photos of Schlitterbahn New Braunfels The original location of Schlitterbahn is celebrating their 38th anniversary since opening back in 1979. To celebrate their time entertaining families in Central Texas, look back at the park's beginnings from the Landa Resort to what Schliterbahn has become now. less Vintage photos of Schlitterbahn New Braunfels The original location of Schlitterbahn is celebrating their 38th anniversary since opening back in 1979. To celebrate their time entertaining families in Central ... more Photo: Schlitterbahn Waterparks And Resorts Photo: Schlitterbahn Waterparks And Resorts Image 1 of / 140 Caption Close Schlitterbahn New Braunfels celebrates the 50th year of entertaining Texans during the summer 1 / 140 Back to Gallery

Fifty years ago, a Texas family bought a resort that would become the iconic Schlitterbahn.

The story of Schlitterbahn's creation started with the Henry family when founders Bob and Billye Henry bought Landa Resort in New Braunfels in 1966. For the next 10 years, the family realized their resort guests were most attracted to the water slides they installed.

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In response to the water slide demand guests expressed, the owners continued to develop new rides and slides for guests to enjoy. Then by 1979, the Henry's opened Schlitterbahn - which is the combination of the German words for slippery (schlitter) and road (bahn).

At the beginning, the resort the Henrys bought was 15 acres and 32 cabins, which grew to 40 acres and over 100 units in the first 10 years. The constant improvement of the park's attractions has been a staple in the Henry family and continues today.

"We lived at the camp so we literally lived the business," said Gary Henry, the eldest son of Bob and Billye Henry. "My mother would answer the reservation line at night and if there was any problem, we would go and fix it. It was a way of life. It was what we did."

The 2017 Schlitterbahn New Braunfels guests enjoy is over 70 acres containing 51 attractions.

Click through the gallery above to see the vintage photos of the Landa Resort and Schlitterbahn in their early years and continue clicking to see photos and facts of what we know as Schlitterbahn now.

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Last season the Schlitterbahn family was devastated after a 10-year-old boy suffered a fatal neck injury in August 2016 while riding the Verruckt slide, the world's former highest slide in the world reaching a staggering 168 feet high.

"It was a devastating event and devastating to the staff that ran that ride and the park in general,' Gary Henry said. "Our focus is on safety – every day – the way we open the park and check to see everything is operating properly. We don't only rely on our safety, but we also rely on others coming in to double check after us."

Henry says the Schlitterbahn brand is going to continue testing, revisiting and improving all of their attractions to continuously ensure the safety of their customers and employees.

"Whether it's the parking lots or the restrooms or the rides, every aspect has to be looked at to ensure it is as safe as possible," Henry said.

Ed Hubbard has been going to Schlitterbahn New Braunfels for the past 25 years with his entire family each Memorial Day weekend. He says thanks to Schlitterbahn, there is something for every family member to do and no one is bored. He credits Schlitterbahn as the reason why his kids know their extended family.

"There's one particular time that repeats itself every Memorial Day. During the day, everyone goes their own way, but every night around 6:30 and 7 we all meet up for dinner and a prayer circle," Hubbard said. "So it is really the only time of the year when our whole family is together in such an important moment.

"There's no place like Schlitterbahn. No other place would compare."