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.

Indiana's journal page for July 10, 1961, includes a sketch of the central circle of his painting The Calumet. Regarding the painting he writes, "From Longfellow’s Hiawatha come the Indiana names for 'Calumet,' and indeed [the] title itself. Thinking in terms of red on red."

Indiana also records watching the 1930 film Fast and Loose on television, describing it as "a real period piece."