The earliest settlers to the upper Spartanburg District of South Carolina and Cherokee Nation territory, now known as the northeastern corner of present-day Greenville County (Dark Corner), discovered four major rivers.

The two largest mountains, Hogback and Glassy, provide the headwaters of these rivers.

Branches from the north side of Hogback flow together to form the North Pacolet River. Water from the back and east sides of Glassy, along with water from the south and southeast sides of Hogback, are the beginning of the South Pacolet River.

Water from the south (front) side of Glassy forms the Sinkhole fork of the Middle Tyger River. Glassy Rock, a half-mile-high rock formation atop Glassy Mountain overlooks land drained by this Sinkhole fork of the river.

Water from the northwest side of Hogback, along with water from the north and northwest sides of Glassy form the North Saluda River.

When the first settlers arrived, this river was called Checheroa by the Cherokees.

The North Saluda River flows in Greenville County and joins with the main Saluda River through Pickens, Anderson, Laurens and Greenwood Counties, feeding into Lake Greenwood.

The Middle Tyger River continues into Spartanburg and Union Counties before flowing into the Broad River.

The same is true for the South Pacolet River.

The North Pacolet River flows into North Carolina before it joins the South Pacolet River on its journey to the Broad River.

The rich bottom lands of these four rivers have produced hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of bushels of corn and other vegetable crops through more than 200 years.

Waters of these rivers provide potable water for city and county utilities, as well as agricultural and industrial uses, from Greenville and Spartanburg to other areas of the state all the way to Charleston.