Indian River. The history of Indian(Holston) River begins with the Native Americans. "Native Americans called the river Hogoheegee," according to a local historian Lawrence Richardson. Early explorers called the river Indian River and the French called it the Cherokee River. The river was eventually named the Holston after the explorer Stephen Holstein. The Holston River flows through Washington, Smyth, Wythe, Tazewell, Bland, Russell and Scott Counties.