Mary E. Ridenbaugh

Considered a pioneer resident of the state of Idaho, Mary E. Ridenbaugh migrated with her parents at the age of 7 from Missouri in 1864. She lived with her parents on a cattle ranch until the age of 14, when she attended St. Michael’s Parish school and later attended St. Vincent’s convent in Walla Walla, Washington. After leaving Walla Walla, Mary taught for two terms at a school in Ada county before attending the State Normal School in San Jose, California.

Mary hoped to make teaching her profession, but soon after returning from California, Mary married William H. Ridenbaugh, a well known Boise lumber dealer and merchant miller, and she never resumed teaching. However, Mary was able to take an active role in the support of education in the state of Idaho and served as a member of the board of regents from 1901 to 1907. The first women’s dormitory on the University of Idaho campus was named in her honor and she was a champion of introducing domestic science courses at the university. Mary also labored for many years to secure funding for a Carnegie Library in Boise.