Jean Bucknum was inspired to create the imaginary Eastern Oregon town of Ammonite after her experiences as a small town correspondent for a regional daily newspaper east of the Cascade Mountains.

The Bend Bulletin published news articles she wrote along with many feature stories and photos that showcased the large rural cowboy county in which she lived. 

She graduated from the University of Oregon with 25 geology credits and a journalism degree. She was an official ‘rock reconnaissance’ volunteer for the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service, and her rock-hunting activities were featured in an Oregon Field Guide TV segment.

She went on field trips with a long-time prospector and WWII veteran who told tales about agate caves and the old cinnabar and gold mining days. She wrote his story, which was published in a Cascades East magazine.