For the past 12 years, Charles “Lala” Evans has maintained Lala Land — a monument to his late wife — outside of his lifelong home on Hancock Street to share his story with others.
But now, after turning 90 and sustaining a fall earlier this year, Evans is asking for help maintaining what has become known as the Umbrella Grove.
“This has, for the last 10 or 12 years, been my life story,” Charles “Lala” Evans said, gesturing to LaLa Land. “And I just would love for people to come by, so I can continue to tell my story… You have to be honest with me. Do you think it’s worth telling?”
Evans started constructing Lala Land in 2011, after the sudden passing of his wife, Louise. He said he doesn’t know why he picked umbrellas, specifically, except that they were colorful and let him talk to people about his wife.
The grove eventually garnered Evans both local and national attention. In 2016, the band Mutemath heard Evans’ story, and wrote a song inspired by him called “Monument.” This song, and the music video that followed, led to Evans appearing on The Ellen Show and in national publications.
Visitors started coming to Lala Land from all over, and Evans used their presence as an opportunity to talk about his life story, including the 25 years he worked as a shoeshine boy, the 30 years he spent as the first Black mailman in Starkville, the 40 years he spent in the U.S. Army (38 of which were in the Army Reserve) and his 15 years as a Mississippi State University Bus Driver.
But over time, maintaining the umbrella grove has become more difficult. A few weeks ago, Evans fell in his home, bumping his head and cutting his finger. The recovery has taken longer than he expected and caused him to slow down and lose weight.
Evans has nurses visit him two or three times a week, but his current physical state has made it difficult for him to get outside and maintain Lala Land, particularly after the past few weeks of storms.
“This is the worst shape it has ever been in,” Evans said. “The storms just beat it to death. You’ll find some beautiful pictures of it online and how it used to look. But it’s just hard to keep up with.”
Evans gave The Dispatch a tour of Lala Land, constantly comparing the current condition with what it should look like. He pointed to fallen tree limbs, painted messages that have faded with time, overgrown weeds and grass that have taken over and, most importantly, the umbrellas, which have faded and been overturned by the wind, all of which he needs help restoring.
“That umbrella says ‘Lala’ and the one next to it says ‘Louise,’” Evans said. “But you can see the wind has twisted Louise all around.”
Evans carefully adjusted the Louise umbrella. Then, he carried on the tour, including a pool covered in signatures from international visitors, a path encouraging visitors to believe they can fly and a “museum” behind his house, which is covered with pictures of his family and friends from wall to wall.
“It brings back such memories,” Evans said. “…I can come out here and reminisce and play the music in the background and look over my past… I have no regrets.”
But even the museum and the memories inside are in danger. Evans pointed to a dent in the ceiling where a tree limb fell on the building and a water stain that was forming around it. Evans said he has finally accepted that he needs help from others to keep LaLa Land alive.
“I used to do it all myself,” Evans said. “I used to not want any help. But now, help. Help needed, help wanted. I accept it.”
Even with his request for help, Evans is still optimistic. While talking with The Dispatch, he formed the daily message for LaLa Land’s letterboard. Though it is more difficult now, since his legs do not bend easily, he carefully formed the words, “Let a smile be your umbrella.”
Anyone who is interested in helping with putting LaLa Land in order can contact Evans at [email protected].
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You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 48 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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