Robin Kain and his sister Barbara (now Grenfell) were raised at the station when their parents, Doug and Betty, owned Longslip from 1926 to 1947, before they sold it to the Patterson family, its present owners.
The original homestead, built early last century, continues to survive and during the weekend was dressed up with historic items and displays as part of the anniversary celebrations organised by the Patterson family.
Along with their brother David, now deceased, the three Kain children lived in the low, tin-roofed house.
The station, on SH8 at the entry to the Lindis Pass near Omarama, was originally settled in 1858 by Robert McMurdo and went through several hands, even being abandoned in 1895.
The Pattersons, starting with William, have been the longest continuous owners of a property originally occupying 5700ha and now extending beyond 32,300ha.
Tenure review last year on Longslip resulted in the Crown taking over the majority of the high country with the remainder being freeholded.
Mr Kain went to boarding school in Timaru from the age of 8, but grew up at Longslip when he was not at school, living there until he was 15 years old.
"It was a great life. It was isolated, but we made our own fun. We had ponies and horses, swam in the streams, built tree houses and fell out of trees," he said.
Mr Kain, now retired at Waihola, and his sister, who lives at Clyde, sought out the old homestead when they found out on Saturday it was still there, near the woolshed, which is visible from SH8.
They pointed out the large oak tree which their mother planted in front of the homestead.
Up to 160 people who worked or were associated with Longslip were at the anniversary, with about 150 at a dinner on Saturday night.
The anniversary included chances for people to relive the days they spent there, meet again with people they had not seen for years and tour some of the station.
The anniversary finished yesterday with a barbecue lunch, tours and afternoon tea.
