Seal of South Dakota of Fort Pierre and shall be the basis for all reproductions of the great seal of the State of South Dakota. The South Dakota Secretary of State is the designated custodian of the South Dakota State Seal. Seal of South Dakota The Great Seal of the State of South Dakota was designed while the area was a territory, in 1885. The outer ring of the seal contains the text "State of South Dakota" on the top and "Great Seal" on the bottom. Also the year of statehood, 1889. Inside the inner circle of the seal contains the state motto "Under
Hail, South Dakota! Dakota we welcome you.<br> <br> Hail! South Dakota! the state we love the best,<br> Land of our fathers, builders of the west;<br> Home of the Badlands, and Rushmore's ageless shrine,<br> Black Hills and prairies, farmland and sunshine.<br> Hills, farms and prairies, blessed with bright sunshine.<br> Hail, South Dakota! "Hail! South Dakota!" (1943) is the official state song of South Dakota, selected by popular vote. It was written and composed by DeeCort Hammitt (1893-1970). Hail! South Dakota! a great state of the land;<br> Health, wealth and beauty, that's what makes her grand;<br> She has her Black Hills, and mines with gold