The Maine Coon is North Americas oldest native breed of cat but it's origins are veiled in the mists of time.  Some say it's a cross between a cat and a racoon but this is genetically impossible.  Others that it was brought to New England by the Vikings aboard their longboats where it was a great mouser.  Another story is that it originated in France where Marie Antoinette (who was a great cat lover) was planning to escape from the French revolution and arranged transport aboard "The Sally" with Captain Samuel Clough for herself & her cats.  Unfortunately she never managed to escape but her cats did make the journey to Wiscasset, Maine.   

Whatever their origin the Maine Coon thrived in the cold winters of Maine with their semi long haired, heavy waterproof coats.  They were large, robust cats with large ears with lynx tips and ear tufts and their long legs, bushy tail and snowshoes helped them cope with the snowy conditions.

Maine Coons were first bellieved to be shown at the National Cat Show in 1878 and later in 1895 the famous Madison Square Garden Show was won by a brown tabby female Maine Coon called Cosie.  The breed was enthusiastically shown and promoted particularly by families in Maine but it wasn't until 1976 that America's native cat was officially recognised by all American official bodies.