Langley’s historic Little Red House destroyed by fire

A historic Langley home popularly known as the Little Red House has been destroyed by fire after standing for almost 140 years.

Township of Langley archives say the McIver House burned early Thursday. Murdoch and Annie McIver built the home between 1887 and 1890 to replace an earlier log cabin that was likely too small for their family of nine children.

The Langley Heritage Society said the Gothic-style farmhouse in Glen Valley had fallen into disrepair, but its setting in the middle of a turf farm made it one of the area’s most photographed and painted homes. It had also been used as a setting for photo shoots and videos.

Coun. Rob Rindt shared videos showing the house engulfed in flames and said its loss was incredibly sad. Township records say the home was occupied until the early 1990s and was uninhabited and deteriorating by 2010.

The heritage society said it was sad and unfortunate that the house was never preserved.