The story of HFE begins all the way back in the 1950s with the Marvel Cave in Branson, Missouri. The cave was a local attraction, and Hugo and Mary Herschend purchased it in hopes of turning it into a national attraction. With subsequent renovation, the Herschends improved the cave's walkways and lighting, in addition to adding a cable train to allow guests faster access. Thanks to these and later improvements, the family reached its goal and Branson became known not only for the Marvel Cave but for the accompanying 1880s theme town that the family built on the premises.
In the 1980s, the cave and theme town changed its name to Silver Dollar City, and its popularity continued to grow. In 2003, it took on its current title, HFE. What was once a relatively unknown cave has become an award-winning company with more than 10,000 employees. HFE manages, operates, and owns 26 themed entertainment properties across the United States.