In a remote corner of northeastern Arkansas, a new residential experiment is taking shape… one that is drawing sharp criticism and legal scrutiny.
Known as Return to the Land (RTTL), the group has purchased about 160 acres near Ravenden, Arkansas and is building what it describes as a “European-heritage community” where membership is restricted to individuals who meet certain background criteria.
Around three dozen people currently reside there, with more homes under construction, according to the community’s leadership.
Prospective members must undergo an application process that includes a questionnaire, interview, and ancestry requirements.
The founders argue the project is built on shared cultural values and heritage, not simply race. “If people are interested and aligned with our values, they’re welcome to join,” co-founder Eric Orwoll told reporters.
RTTL’s ambitions go beyond the Arkansas site. The group is reportedly planning at least four additional locations… including two in the Appalachian region and one more in the Ozarks… with the broader goal of establishing a network of racially exclusive enclaves.
The project arrives amid a charged national discourse around race, space, and the meaning of “heritage” in American communities.
