Robert Indiana kept a series of illustrated journals during the late 1950s and 1960s, in which he discusses the development of his work as well as his daily life on Coenties Slip.

In his journal entry for January 13, 1961, Indiana records "'The American Dream' decided for old 'Agadir' painting." He includes a sketch of the painting's lower right circle, with the notes "stencil letters" and "gesso." 

He also discusses faculty at the Scarsdale Studio workshop, where he taught art classes, and notes that he saw a friend on the New York City platform in Scarsdale. The friend then joined him and J. (Indiana's partner, fashion designer John Kloss) for dinner at Grand Central station.