Teddy Roosevelt gets shot, Bush falls while bowling and other notable presidential visits in Wisconsin

Many presidents have visited Wisconsin in their lifetimes even before the state became a political hot spot for candidates in recent decades.

Among those visits, are some very memorable moments. From an assassination attempt to a barefoot breakfast, here's a rundown of some notable visits.

Teddy Roosevelt got shot while delivering a speech in Milwaukee

Our 26th president was shot and wounded while delivering a speech from a car in front of the Gilpatrick Hotel in Milwaukee on Oct. 14, 1912. The Gilpatrick was formally located where the current Hyatt Regency now stands. John Schrank was taken into custody by Milwaukee Police for the attempted assassination.

Roosevelt reportedly said after the incident, "It takes more than one bullet to kill a Bull Moose." He finished his speech while bleeding through he his shirt, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society.

George H.W. Bush fell while bowling at Serb Hall

President George H.W. Bush visited Milwaukee while Reagan's vice president in 1984 at Milwaukee's Serb Hall. The event didn't go as planned as Bush attempted to roll a bowling ball and fell on his face. A lefty, Bush was given bowling shoes meant to be worn by those who were right-handed.

More: Cheese jokes, huge crowds, floral couches: Five times sitting presidents visited Wisconsin

"That's probably why he tripped and sprawled over the line," Peter Drobac, the general manager at the time, said later. "Even so, he knocked down nine pins so it wasn't a disgrace."

Lyndon Johnson jammed his hand at the Milwaukee airport

While visiting Milwaukee in 1964, President Lyndon Johnson jammed his hand against a fence holing back a crowd at the airport. Johnson's hands were bandaged from continual handshaking on the campaign trail but he still stopped his motorcade several times during his Milwaukee trip to meet crowds.

More: If you want to be president you come to Wisconsin, see photos of 18 who have visited the state

George Bush threw out the first pitch at Miller Park

When Miller Park opened in 2001, the Brewers had a special guest on hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch: then sitting president George W. Bush. His pitch fell short of home plate, but he remains the only president to throw out an opening day pitch in Wisconsin.

Ronald Reagan received cheese and overalls as gifts while visiting Oshkosh

On a visit to Oshkosh in 1985, President Ronald Regan was presented some Wisconsin-centric gifts by a delegation of local politicians. This included a large block of cheddar cheese and a pair of Oshkosh B’Gosh overalls with “Tax Cutter-In-Chief” embroidered on the bib.

Richard Nixon attended the City Stadium dedication

Then vice president Richard Nixon was on hand in 1957 to dedicate City Stadium in Green Bay, which is known as Lambeau Field today. A crowd of 32,132 filled the stands as Nixon called the venue the “best spectator stadium” he had seen.

Abraham Lincoln lost his boots in Janesville

President Abraham Lincoln visited Milwaukee and Janesville in 1859, two years before he became president. While in Janesville, Lincoln came down to breakfast barefoot after losing his boots in the night, according to Madison banker Lucien Hanks, who spent the night with him, according to a Wisconsin State Journal story from 1923.

Drew Dawson can be reached at ddawson@jrn.com or 262-289-1324.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Here are some of the most memorable presidential visits to Wisconsin