Edward Holden discovered NGC 5035, along with NGC 5030 and 5031, on 17 May 1881 with the 15.6-inch Clark refractor at the Washburn Observatory. His description reads "F, S, R, bN. GC 3465 [NGC 5044] follows 34sec [of time]." His position is 1' south of MCG -03-34-028 = PGC 46068.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/17/90): fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated N-S, weak concentration. Bracketed by mag 9.4 SAO 157810 1.8' S and a mag 10 star 2.1' NNE of center. First of six in field with NGC 5037 7' SE and brightest member NGC 5044 10.5' NE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb