William Herschel discovered NGC 5585 = H I-235 = h1790 on 17 Apr 1789 (sweep 924) and recorded "cB, pL, vgmbM, iF, r, about 4' diam." JH made a single on observation, noting ""vF; vL; R; vgbM; diam 2' at least; moonlight and haze."

200/250mm - 8" (5/21/82): fairly faint, moderately large, slightly elongated, diffuse. Located 5' NW of mag 9 SAO 29106.

400/500mm - 17.5" (6/23/01): moderately bright, fairly large, elongated 4:3 SSW-NNE, 3.5'x2.5'. Broad, weak concentration to a 1' slightly brighter core. A mag 14 star is close south (2.1' S of center) and a mag 11.5 star is 3.4' NE of center. Located 5' NW of mag 9.5 SAO 29106. Member of the M101 group.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb