1854                Mechanics’ Institute, New Orleans, Louisiana.

1856                142 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana. 

Mr. Giroux was recorded in three announcements and two advertisements in the partnership of Giroux & Hirsch.   The first announcement was recorded on December 27, 1854 in the New Orleans Daily Crescent (New Orleans, Louisiana).  Destructive Fire—The Mechanics Institute in Ruins.—Last evening about 6 o’clock, a fire broke out in the rear part of the basement of the Mechanics’ Institute, on the Philippa street front of University Square, and in little more than a hour’s time the splendid edifice was reduced to a pile of smoking ruins; nothing being left standing but the front and portions of the side walls…

The Repository of Arts and Sciences, kept in one of the rooms by Mr. Brocket, lost every thing—valued at about $3000.  Mr. Truehols, the portrait and picture painter, occupying another room, lost every thing.  One picture alone, of large size, which he had nearly finished entitled “The Crucifixion,” he valued at [$3000].  Mr. Giroux, the photographist, occupying the from=nt room of the floor, opposite the library, lost every thing.  He had just finished fitting up at an expenditure of $2500.  Mr. Gomes who kept a cabinet making and repairing shop on the ground floor, under Mr. Giroux’s room, also lost his all—about $1000 worth…

The second announcement (same as the first) appeared on December 27, 1854 Times-Picayune.  (New Orleans, Louisiana).  Burning of the Mechanics’ Institute.  We regret to state that this noble building, one of the city’s proudest ornaments, was destroyed by fire last evening…   

Mr. Giroux, who had just established rooms for practicing the art of photography, lost about $2,500.

The third announcement (same as the first) appeared on January 5, 1855 in The New York Herald (New York, New York).  Burning of the Mechanics’ Institute, at New Orleans.  [From the New Orleans Picayune, Dec. 27.]  We regret to state that this noble building, one of the city’s proudest ornaments, was destroyed by fire last evening…Mr. Giroux, who had just established rooms for practicing the art of photography, lost about $2,500.

The first advertisement was appeared on April 23,1856 in the Semi-Weekly Creole (New Orleans, Louisiana).  Heliographic Gallery.  Portraits Drawn in a few Seconds by the Attraction of the Light.  Giroux & Hirsch. No. 142 Canal street, between Bourbon and Dauphin streets.

Messrs. Giroux & Hirsch, Heliographs, Informs the public that their Saloon and Studio are now opened, at 142 Canal street, where visitors will be gladly received.

They avail themselves of this opportunity to call the attention of amateurs to their improvement, in New Orleans to Heliographic Portraits, and present, to be compared with what has been done heretofore in the line, the proof Portraits exhibited in their gallery.

Messrs. G. & H. announce, besides, that with a view to the popularity of their art, the prices of their Portraits, whether black or colored, will be very moderate.  mh5.

The second advertisement (same as the first) was recorded July 1 to September 12, 1856 in the   New Orleans Daily Creole (New Orleans, Louisiana).  Heliographic Gallery.  Portraits Drawn in a few Seconds by the Attraction of the Light.  Giroux & Hirsch. No. 142 Canal street, between Bourbon and Dauphin streets.

Messrs. Giroux & Hirsch, Heliographs, Informs the public that their Saloon and Studio are now opened, at 142 Canal street, where visitors will be gladly received.

They avail themselves of this opportunity to call the attention of amateurs to their improvement, in New Orleans to Heliographic Portraits, and present, to be compared with what has been done heretofore in the line, the proof Portraits exhibited in their gallery.

Messrs. G. & H. announce, besides, that with a view to the popularity of their art, the prices of their Portraits, whether black or colored, will be very moderate.  mh5.

Mr. Giroux is recorded in other directories as being in the partnership only.  First names are not known at this time.  There is an advertisement for Leon Giroux, 142 Canal Street for Fancy Shoes the same address as the partnership.  It is unknown if this is the same person.  No additional advertisements have been located at this time for Hirsch.  Hirsch is recorded in Craig’s Daguerreian Registry as a “painter of photographs” which led me into looking at The New York Historical Society’s Dictionary of Artists In America 1564-1860.  There is one listing for Siegfried Hirsch, miniature and portrait painted who was active in New York City as a miniature painter from 1851-1855; then he went to Charleston, South Carolina; and by 1857 he was back in New York City. It is also unknown if he is the same person.