Greenbury Point is at northern side of the mouth of the Severn River. The point sits across from the US Naval Academy in Annapolis. In 1849, the first lighthouse was built at the point on a two acre plot acquired for $367. The original light was a 1 1/2 story dwelling with an octagonal tower rising from the center of the dwelling. The light originally housed nine 14-inch reflectors. The reflectors were replaced by a steamer's lens (commonly used by locomotives).

In 1878, the Lighthouse Board reported problems with the lighthouse. Erosion was washing away the point, putting the lighthouse at risk. In addition, the light was small and difficult to distinguish from the lights of Annapolis. It was not until 1889 that $25,000 was appropriated to build a new screwpile lighthouse 1000 yards from the old light.

The light's fourth-order lens was lit in 1891. The station design was similar to the Hoopers Strait and Drum Point lights. When the builders observed that the pilings failed to provide sufficient resistance to support the structure, large cast-iron disks and sleeves were slid over the pilings. When the disks settled, the sleeves were secured to the pilings.

The shore station was retained as a day mark, where it remained until it eventually succumbed to erosion. The screwpile light remained until 1934, when the superstructure was removed and an automated light placed at the site.

References (see links)

Forgotten Beacons, Hornberger and Turbyville p. 26
The Lighthouses of the Chesapeake, de Gast p. 159
Lighting the Bay: Tales of Chesapeake Lighthouses, Vojtech p. 165