Twenty-five years ago, in 1966, historical archaeology was yet to be defined as a discipline, and yet considerable historic sites work had already been accomplished in California. Sites from the Spanish and Mexican period were among the first to be investigated, followed by those of pioneer statehood inspired by the Gold Rush Centennial. Paralleling developments within the growing discipline of historic sites archaeology, new technologies were developed and old techniques refined. Investigations have been profoundly affected by the continuing evolution of philosophies and research goals involving changes in both cultural and geographic perspectives. Future development should involve more consensus on the importance of historic sites and increasing use of comparative studies to discover significant patterns of our past.