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Riegelwood is a community in eastern Columbus County positioned near the Cape Fear River and the industrial corridor west of Wilmington. The broader region was inhabited by Indigenous peoples long before European-American settlement, with rivers, wetlands, forests, and fertile lands supporting travel, fishing, hunting, and trade. European settlement expanded into the area during the colonial and early national periods, and Columbus County was established in 1808. Riegelwood developed later than many traditional agricultural communities, with its growth tied especially closely to transportation, timber, and industrial activity.

Forestry has been central to the area's economy for generations. The vast pine forests of southeastern North Carolina supported naval stores, lumber production, and related industries, and eastern Columbus County became an important location for wood-processing enterprises. Riegelwood's development was especially influenced by large-scale industrial operations connected to pulp, paper, and forest products. These industries created employment opportunities and helped distinguish the community from neighboring areas that remained more dependent on small farms and local commerce.

Transportation infrastructure reinforced Riegelwood's industrial role. Its location near U.S. Highway 74/76 provides a direct connection between Wilmington and inland southeastern North Carolina, while rail lines historically helped move timber, paper products, machinery, and other freight. Proximity to the Cape Fear River and the Port of Wilmington also strengthened the area's relationship with regional shipping and manufacturing. These transportation advantages made Riegelwood strategically important despite its relatively small residential population.

The community's social and cultural identity developed around a combination of industrial employment, rural traditions, schools, churches, and family connections. Many generations of residents worked in forestry, manufacturing, transportation, or agriculture, producing a community shaped by both industrial and rural influences. The surrounding landscape still includes large areas of forest, wetlands, farmland, and waterways, reflecting the ecological character of the southeastern North Carolina Coastal Plain.

Riegelwood also sits near some of the region's most important natural and historic areas. The lower Cape Fear River supports extensive wetlands and wildlife habitat, while nearby communities provide access to Lake Waccamaw, Brunswick County, and the Wilmington region. The contrast between industrial facilities and expansive natural landscapes is one of the defining features of this part of Columbus County. Residents have historically balanced the economic importance of industry with the realities of living in a low-lying, environmentally diverse region.

Today, Riegelwood offers homeowners a rural and semi-rural lifestyle with direct highway access to Wilmington and surrounding communities. Properties include established homes, rural residences, and larger parcels surrounded by forests or open land. Residents benefit from proximity to employment centers in the Cape Fear region while remaining outside the denser urban and suburban development of Wilmington and Leland. Riegelwood's combination of industrial heritage, transportation access, and rural character continues to shape its role in eastern Columbus County.